cW''

^''^^

T^

THIS BOOK f

yj BELONGS TO ^'^'^ f ^

If thou art boirow'd by a Friend, ^

Right welcome shall he be\ "^

To read, to copy, NOT TO LEND, -^

But to return to me. ^

Not that imparted knowledge doth %

Diminish Learning's store; x

But Books, I find, if often lent, \

Return to me no more. *-'^

Now slowly read, and often pause ;

Thin^much, the Book keep clean •
And when retinn'd to me, let not

The folded Leaves be seen.

/,';.,, 1,., !■

•'>'■

TJ3E :f>:K7. THOMA5 f 0]raE, X, JL. ID.

J.atf uf Oio riiivci-sitv of Oxford.

Zfi-ih. Ihlilisluil 2n\ Vf.r!~CiniimiJi(f, /t Vav /SI.5.

THE

LIFE

OF THE

Rev. THOMAS COKE, L.L.D.

A

<*Iletgi)matt of tlje ^tjurrij of <2^tt0latt?y,

BUT WHO LABOURED AMONG THE

WESLEYAN METHODISTS,

FOR THE

LAST THTRTY-EIGHT YEARS OF HIS LIFE,

And who died suddenly on shipboard, after being four months at sea, on
his Passage to the East Indies, whither he was conducting a Company
of Christian Missionaries, of whom he was the Jsuperintendent,

BY

J'ONATMAN CMOWTHEM,

AUTHOR OF •' THE METHODIST MANUAL," " THE PORTRAITURE OF

METHODISM," A^D " THE SCRIPTURE GAZETTEER, OR THE

GEOGRAPHY OF THK BIBLE."

" In labours more abundant'" — 2 Coa. xi. 23.

" Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord:- -that tiiey may rest from
their labours; and their works do foUow them." — Kev. xiv. 13.

LEEDS:

PRINTED RY EDWARD BAINES, AND SOLD BY
ALL BOOKSELLERS.

1815.

ADVERTISEMENT.

To the Lovers of Evangelical, Experimental, and Practical
Christianity, of every Denomination.

THE Author presumes to lay before you, the Life of a
man who was sound in the faith ; who felt the truths
which he preached ', and who lived as he exhorted others to
live, ^' denying ungodliness, and worldly lusts, and living
soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present evil world;
looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of
the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ ; who gave
himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity,
and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good
works." Tit. ii. 12, 13, 14.

Dii. CoKB clearly understood, firmly believed, and con-
stantly and zealously preached, the doctrines contained in
the Articles, Homilies, and Liturgy of the Church of
England ; or, in other words, the genuine doctrines of the
Holy Scriptures. And what he believed and felt to be the
power of God unto his own salvation, he wished others to
understand, believe, and feel in like manner. His preach-
ing was not the false commerce of truths unfelt: fur out of
the abundance of his heart his mouth spoke. And whether
his sermons were always admired or not, he always mani-
fested what a certain pious Clergyman called the very best
part of a Preacher, that is, he was full of zeal. And those
who sat under his ministry were not only warmed and
quickened, but frequently instructed and edified. And to
many he could truly say, " Our gospel came not unto you in
word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and
in much assurance." 1 Thes. i. 5. Some into whose
hand these pages may possibly fall, will be his crown of
rejoicing in the day of the Lord Jesus. Others have been
pleased and profited by his labours ; while multitudes m
Europe and America, have admired his burning zeal and un-
remitting activity, for so many years, and that notvvith-
standing many discouragements. "But none of these

8 ADVEKTISEMENT.

things moved liiin, neither counted he his life dear unto
himself, so that he might finish his course with joy, and the
ministry which he had received oi' the Lord Jesus, to tes-
tify the gospel of the grace of God." Acts xx. 24. Firmly
persuaded of the truth and divinity of the Bible ; deeply
impressed with the value of immortal souls, and how indis-
pensably necessary it is, that men should be born again of
the Spirit ; and then as ihey had received Christ Jesus the
Lord, that they siiould so walk in him ; firmly believing
that there will be a resurrection both of the just and of the
unjust ; and that those who live and die without knowing
God, and obeying the gospel of Christ, will go away from
the judgment seat of Christ into everlasting punishment,
while all who live and die in him will be received into
life eternal; that every man shall receive his own reward,
according to his own labour; and that they who turn many
to righteousness shall shine as the stars for ever and ever;
he was steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the
work of the Lord, forasmuch as he knew that his labour was
not in vain in the Lord, To the Methodists especially, I
may say, '"' Remember them who have had the rule
over you, wlio have spoken unto you the word of God;
whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversa-
tion ; Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, and to-day, and for
ever." Heb. xiii. 7, 8.

The Author's aim in writing this Life, is to give a
general and particular account of Dr. Coke, as a Man, a
Christian, and a Minister; and more especially of (he part
he acted among the Akthodists for so many years, and that
with pre-eminent distinction. He had a very active and
principal hand in every notable transaction among them for
between thirty and forty years ; and during that period the
circumstances of their affairs were often very interesting,
In retracing, therefore, the steps of the Doctor, and giving
an account of liis spirit and conduct, it will be frequently
proper and necessary to enter into a minute account of
events in Methodism. And for this, 1 hope 1 am fully
qualified. Sundry atlairs, previous to and after the death of
Mr. \yKSLKY, and all the principal occurrences since, will
be faithfully described, and in some instances, probably,
information, additional to vvhat has been given in other pub-
lications, will be given to the reader. It is intended that
this work, while it shall contain a biographical account of
Dr. Coke, shall also contain a regular historical sketch of

ADVERTISEMENT. 9

Methodism, and particularly of the most remarkable events
since the death of Mr. Weslev. Brevity, perspicuity,
truth, justice, rigid impartiality, and candour, will be
studied ; and the best endeavours will be used to render
them apparent upon every subject, and In every paragraph.
Neither Dr. Coke, nor the Methodists, shall be either
abused or flattered, lilndeavours shall l)e used so to speak
the truth, as to commend ourselves to every man's con-
science in the sight of God. The Methodists shall have no
sufficient cause to complain of slander or injustice : while
others may rest assured of receiving such clear and certain
information respecting Dr. Coke, and the affairs of Metho-
dism, as will leave but little to be learnt elsewhere, and
information in which they may place the utmost confidence.

As this Book may fall into the hands of some persons who
are almost totally unacquainted with the Rise and Progress
of Methodism, as well as with its Doctrines and Discipline,
and especially as the Life of the Doctor Is so inseparably
connected with it, it appears to me to be highly proper to
give, in an Introduction to the Life, a short historical
account of Methodism, from Its commencement to the
time when he joined the body; as well as a definition of
their doctrines, and an explanation of the various parts of
their discipline. This may detain the reader a little longer
before he enters upon what more immediately relates to the
Doctor, but it will prepare him the better for understanding
and profiting by what will follow. And as the most dis-
tingulslied trait in the character of Dr. Coke, was his very
great and zealous exertions in promoting Missions, it may
be highly proper, and to many persons gratifying, to intro-
duce the description of the Missions founded and promoted
by him, with a brief account of the most remarkable Chris-
tian Missions of the present age as well as former ones.
And as Dr. Coke's labours extended to sundry foreign
regions, short geographical and historical accounts will be
necessary sometimes, in order to throw the more light upon
the subject. Care, however, will be taken, that the price
and bulk of the Book, be not too much swelled, but, that
notwithstanding the abundance and variety of the matter, it
shall be as cheap and portable as possible. Not a para-
graph, or a line, shall be inserted, for the mere purpose of
augmenting the price.

I shall only add, that the occurrences among the
Methodists, and the part which Dr. Coke took in them,

10 ADVERTISEMENT.

will oblige me repeatedly to touch upon the subject of
Church Government, or Christian Discipline. And when
that may be the case, care shall be taken to treat the point
in a scriptural, rational, and candid manner. And by a fair
appeal to the Law and the Testimony, I hope both myself
and my Readers will get some good, and be more than
ever determined to be governed by the Oracles of God.
Nay, I hope that the reading of the whole of this publica-
tion will principally tend to make many read and love their
Bibles more than ever; and to prove this love, by a greater
practical conformity to that only and sufficient rule of the
faith and practice of a Christian.

Reader, in perusing this account of a man, who was
lately alive, and acting a conspicuous and important part in
the Christian world, but who was called away very suddenly
and unexpectedly ; remember, there is but a stej) between
you and death ; that you know not what may be on the
morroiv ; that your life is but a vapour, ivhich appeareth
for a little time, and then vanisheth away. And this being
the case, you out to get ready for a change of worlds, with-
out any further delay ; and always keep ready. The Lord
give you Grace here, and Glory hereafter, and withhold
from you no good thing !

INTRODUCTION

TO THE LIFE OP DR. COKE.

JESUS CHRIST having risen from the dead,
and ascended into Heaven, and having sent down
the Holy Ghost, the Promise of the Father, where-
by his disciples were endued with such power from
on high as qualified them for the important and
arduous undertaking assigned them, of going into
all the world, to preach the gospel to every creature,
they immediately commenced their Mission, hegin-
ning at Jerusalem, as our Lord had directed them.
Three thousand were cut to the heart under one
discourse of the Apostle Peter, on the day of Pen-
tecost, and were immediately added to the Church.
This was a very encouraging beginning. And the
Apostles sallied forth, in all directions, going every
■where preaching the Word. Their success was so
great, and the spread of the Gospel so extensive
and general, that the Apostle Paul could say, about
twenty-seven years after Christ's ascension, Rom.
10. 18, speaking of the spread of the Gospel, " their
sound went into all the earth, and their words unto
the ends of the world." Perhaps, Britain might
here be included in the ends of the world, being at
that time the farthest part to the Westward of which
the Easterns had any knowledge. But of that, and
when or by whom the Gospel was brought into this
Island, there is no authentic account in existence.
Some have supposed, that as Britain was then a
Province of the Roman Empire, and as some of the
Roman Soldiers were Christians, the religion of
Jesus might have been introduced here by some of

12 INTRODUCTION.

them. Others are of opinion, that it was intro-
duced into this Ishmd in a different way ; and that
it first obtained a footing' in Wales. Bnt which of
these ideas is the true one, or whether they are both
equally erroneous, I shall not protend to determine.
But I shall gratify the Reader by giving him an
extract of a speech delivered at the formation of
the Methodist Missionary Society, for the London
District, December the 1st, 1814, by Dr. Adam
Clarke.

" ChHISTIAN FRrENDS, AND Beetiiren,

" As we ai-e met together to consult how we may most effectuallj
communicate the blessmgs of the Gospel to those nations and people
who are destitute of this heavenly treasure; it may not he amiss to
enquire koic we ourselves became possessed of so j^-eat a gift ; and by
what menns, and at what time, our happy country, once flill of gross
darkness, became illuminated by this divine light ?

" Tlie iirformation ^ve have on these points comes, partly from tradi-
tion, and partlv from anthentic history. The latter does not reach so high
as the former; nor is it so circumstantial ; but they have been in early
times so blended with each other, that with some, the genuine histury has
been confounded with uncertain traditions, and so rejected ; and the tra-
dition has been by others, taken for authentic history, and all its extrava-
gancies adopted. In these circumstances, we find it difficult to aiscem
truth from falsehood ; and are obliged to go to writers of other countries,
for that information which we are aJh.-aid to receive from those of our own.
" Where, however, the voice of tradition has been strong, unvarying,
and continued ; it is reasonable to suppose that it contains, at least, the
outlines of truth ; and it would be as absurd to reject all it utfex's, as it
would be dangerous to receive all its amphlrcations and details.

" 1. The tradition which is of the highest antiquity, and has been the
most generally received by our ancient historians, and by the nation at
Ijtrge, is that which attributes the introduction of the Word of Life into
Britain, to Joseph of Arimatliea. The substance of this history isas follows:
" About 63 years after the incarnation of our Lord, and 80 after his
ascension, Joseph of Arimathea, who had buried our Lord's body in his
own tomb, was furnished hy Philip the Evangelist with eleven disciples,
and sent into Britain to introduce the Gospel of Christ in place of^ the
barbarous rites of the Druids. With these rites, as well as with the peo*
pie, the Roman empue had become well acquainted through the writings
of Julius Cirsar.

«' These holy men, on their landing, applied to Arvimgus, a British
king, for permission to settle in a rude and uncidtivated spot, called
Ynswytryn by the British, Avilonia by thy Romans, and Gtccsluig-hurig
by the Saxons; and is still known by the name of Glustunhury. Their
petition was granted, and twelve hydts oi' laud were assigned for their
support; and the place is to this day, denominated the /wf/ri/jytifs q/"
Glaston. Here, accordinir to this tradition, tlie standard of the Cross wae
first erected ; and a chapel made of iricker-work, was tlie first church, ox
oratory, of God in Britaui ! See Dugdale's Monastican, Vol. I.

" How famous this place became afterwai'ds it is not necessary here to
enquire; nor shall I stop to mention, much less confute, the silly legends

INTRODUCTION. 13

that have been so connected with this tradition as to render the whole
almost incredible.

" i^UIowinty the main circnmstances to be true; we find from this
earliest tradition, that the first estal)lishment of Christianity in this
country, was owiiii^, under Gnd, to the exertions of l/'vs o/ur/fs; a sub-
ject that will gain increasin<Tlis>litas we descend with trad'tii >n and history.

" 2. It is not to be supposed that these first labourers would be left
long without help, as Christiiinity was making the most rapid progress
in every part of the Roman empire; and a considerable connexion sub-
sisted at that time, between the lloman government, and the liritish
Isles : — The Romans kept up this intercourse, principally, fi)r the saKe
of extending their contjuests, and establishing those which they had
already made; but such was the d'cii/ni and disirnctcU state of Uritain,
that the Gospel was not at all likely to get any ii*ncrul foothig, as in
many cases, there was scarcely any communication between the different
districts f)f the same country.

. " 3. That the conquests of the Romans were extended in this island,
in the apostolic age, we know to be a fact sufficiently ascertained by
history ; and particularly under the emperor Claudius, who came hither
in person about A. D. 43; and an ancient inndiiition has given some
leai'ned men cause to believe that the Gospel was first introduced by a
Christian lady, named i't>iiii>i»iiii, wile to l-'tuHihis, one of the generals of
the Roman em}>eror ; who is snoposed to have made the Christian doc-
trine known to her domestics, and the whole circle of her acquaintance,
whilst resident in Britain.

" 4. That St. I'aul meditated the conversion of the whole world, and
pvirposed to carry the glad tidings of Christ crucified every where, his
own history sufficiently proves. We need not, therefore, ^^•onder to find
his name in the traditionary records, among those who first planted the
Gospel in Britain. St. Clfint'iit, who was cotemporary with this apostle,
and wjiose epistles are still preserved, and are an invaluable record of
the remotest Christian antiquity, (if his words be not misunderstood) is
supposed to assert the fact. The passage to which I refer, is in the fifth
chapter of his first epistle to the Coriiidiian.i, where speaking of St. Paul,
he has these words. He liecumc « lleruld to the East ami In llw ll'est ; kc
taught tilt; wkiile wmid ri;;hteousness, cominj evenlu the Boundaries oj the
West. By the words riqij.cc rris dvjsws, the boundaries of the West,
Bishop Stillingfieet strongly argues, that Britain alone is intended;
though others suppose that iJUiiwnt refers to Sjiiiin.

" 5. To St. Peter, and to -Iristnlnilh^, one of the domestics of the
Roman Emperor, mentioned Romxvi. 20, this honour has also been given,
but on more dubiovis evidence, which it is not necessary here to produce.

That this nation was converted to the faith of Christ by those who had
been disciples oj our Lord, was the earl}' and constant belief of our fore-
father's. This runs through all our /uv/.i/zV-v, and even thnnigh some of
our Vf^al (ids. In the charier granted by Heiirv II. in the Year of our
Lord 1185, for the rebuilding of Glastonbury Chnrch, which had been
burnt ; he styles it ' the mother and burying-place of the saints, founded
by the vcri/ disciples of our Lord ;' and adds, ' it has the venerable autho-
rity of the ancients.' This Church was tha head of all ecclesiastical autho-
rity in these nations, till the year 1151, when Pope Adunn IV. trans-
ferred that honour to St. ^Ihans.

" 7. The story of Liieius, king of Britain, who, in A. D. 156, is said b^
the Veneiatde Bede, to have embraced the Christian faith, and who is
called the^/*f Christian King, is generally known. Bede says that this
king wrote a letter to Ekuthenis, Bishop of Rome, praying that he
might be instructed in the Christian faith: which was accordingly done.

" This is the most uncertain of all the traditions which we have rela-

C

14 INTRODUCTION,

tive to this important event; and were we to suppose, that the Christian
religion was first introduced here under the auspices of this king, we
should then have one solitmij proof, that God had departed from his
general way of disseminatinj^ his truth among mankind ; which is liegin-.
niHii tcitli tii:- luast, ami ui'Uiii lotlie cRHATEST; not beginning With Aiing-s,
and then proceeding to their mi/;;, cl^ ; — but to hide pride from man, con-
verting tlie Illicit even of the subjects; and, bv their means converting
the /i(«ir> themselves. Tlie truth seems to be this, that although Christi-
anity was introduced here long before the time of Lucius ; yet, Lucius,
knowing the Christian religion, and tinding the means of propagating it
in his own district were very inadequate, might send to Llvniluius, for
additional help; and from this, the zealous Romanists might take occasion
to say, that kmg l.iuiys was converted by Roman missionaries.

" On reviewing all these alledged authorities tor the cu/i/ introduction
of Christianity into this country ; it may be said, ' The traditions them-
selves i-ender'the thmg micertain and incredible ; the same fact being
attributed to so many diiferent persons.' I confess that this objection
has, with me, no weight : different j)ersons may be consistently enough
said to have introduced the Gospel into different parts of the island ;
some in the north, some in the souili, some in the west, and some in the
east ; for, such were the divisions and government of the Britons in those
ancient times, that Christianity might have a firm footing in the isle of
Aidlon, without being known in the isle of Th net ; and he who brought
it first to l\etii, might suppose himself the introducer of Christiaruty
into England, though it had existed long befoi"e in Somerset.

" Having gone a» far as I judge necessary, through truUiliuns which
must be allowed to be leSs or more uncertain, though l)yno means to be
disregarded; I shall come now lo ii'isnive l(stimi'7u,, which is incapable of
being siisi)ected ; and which will prove that Christianity had an estab-
lishment here, long before the Romish Church pretends to have given
our countrymen the blessings of the Gospel.

1. " The first decisive testuirony I meet with is inTERTULLiAV, who
flourished nearest the ujio^tti s about the middle of the second century.
Speaking on the words of David, Psal. xix. i. Their line is gone out
through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world, "In
whom," says he " have all the nations of the earth believed, but in
Cum ST ? Not only Part hians, and JMedes, and Elamites, and the dwellers
in Mesopotamia, ana in dudea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus and Asia,
Phrygia and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Lybia and Cyrene,
and strangers of Rome, Jews and Proselytes, and the other nations ; but
also the bovmdaries of the Spaniards, all the different nations of the
Gatds, and those parts of Britain whidi were inaccessible to the Romans,
are become subject to Christ.' — This is another proof that the Gospel
was established here before the middle of the second century ; and how
long bclovi, we cannot pretend to say.

2. " The s, c.?)(/ testimony which 1 shall produce is that of Origen',
who flourished about iV.D. 220. In his fourth Homily on Ezekiel, speak-
ing of ' the Prophecies which the Tews allowed to refer to the advent of
the Jlessiah,' and particularly on the words, ' The whole earth shall
shout for joy,' he says, ' The miserable Jews acknowledge that tliis is
spoken of the presence (jf Christ ; but they are stupidly ignorant of the per-
son, though tliey see the words fulfilled. II hen, before the advent of
Christ, did the Inmi ot lintani agree in the icorshni of one God? When
did the land of the Moors, when did the whole globe at once agree in
tliis? But now, on account of the chmrhes which are spread to the utter-
most bounds of the world, the wli'le tarth with rejoicing, invokes the
God of Israel.' From this it is evident, that the Christian religion had
been, even before liis time, planted in I'ritain ; and at least in the dis-
tricts best known to the Romans, it had pretty generally prevailed.

INTROBCJCTION. 15

*

3. " The next testimony I shall produce, is that of St. Atiianasius,
taken from his Apnlusia contra Ariano:,, written about A.D. 350, where
mentioning his trial before the council of Saixlis, at which there were
more than 300 Bishops present, ' from the provinces of Egypt, I^ybia,
Italy, Sicilj', all Africa, Sardinia, the Spanish, Gallic, and British
territories.' From which we find, that in his time, there were churches
in the British isles ; and their Bishops were of sufficient consequence to
be cited to tliis grand and important council.

4. " The- last testimony which 1 shdlcite from the Ancients, shall be
that of St. Chrysostom, who flourished about A D. 4-00. After shewing
that in a very short space of time, the knowledge of Christ crucified was
diffused over the world, so that the heathen nations Avhere converted t(i)
God, their own ancient laws and customs changed, andidolatry destroyed,
so that Christian solemnities succeeded to Pagan mysteries, he addg
tliese words : ' In every place altars are erected, among the Romans,
Persians, Scythians, Moors, and Indians. What shall I say ? even be-
yond our habitable world : for the islands of Britain, which are situ-
ated beyond our sea, in the very ocean itself, have felt the power of the
word ; and even there, churches are buUt and altars erected.'

Few countries ever were in a more ig'norant,
\^'icked, barbarous, and savage state, than this coun-
try was before the inlroduction of Christianity into
it. There is no very authentic or satisfactory
account of it, farther back than about the time that
it was invaded and subjug^ated by tiie Romans. All
that we can find related by credible authority, as to
the state of things j3rior to that period is, that the
country was very populous, and that the land was
stocked with g^reat plenty of animals, both domestic
and savage, 'llie houses of the inhabitants were
meanly built, and scattered over the country, with-
out any plan as to order or distance. They choose
their situations, chiefly with reference to the ferti-
lity of the soil, or the convenience of wood and
water. They lived chiefly upon milk, and the
flesh of such animals as ihAj kilfed in hunting.
Corn was scarce!) known among them : and what
clothes they wore v\ ere chiefly made of the skins
of beasts. *^But a great part of their bodies was
left naked, having no covering but blue paint.
This custom of painting, seems to have been general
among them, either in order to strike terror into
their enemies, or to defend the pores of their naked
skin from the injuries of the weather, or partly tpr

16 INTRODUCTION.

both purposes. Such were our forefathers, and
predecessors in the occupation of this now refined
and proud island. Their towns, if we may give
that appelhition ta a ckister of huts, were chiefly
situated upon th" sea-coasts, and in places to which
strangers resorted for the sake of commerce. The
commoditit-s exported, were chiefly beasts' hides and
tin. The exportation of tin from Cornwall, can be
satisfactorily proved to have existed for two thou-
sand and three or four hundred years. The civil
g"overument of the country, if indeed it could be
said to ])ossess either civilty or government, con-
sisted of a number of petty principalities; but
whether these principalities were hereditary, or by
election, there is no certain information. But it is
known, however, that in all uncommon and great
danoers, the chief coumianders of all their forces
"were chosen by common consent in a general assem-
bly, as Cfesar himself relates in his Commentaries,
respecting the choice of Cassihelaunus, when Caesar
invaded our Islanch The same took place when
they revolted against the Roman Colonies, under
Caractacus and their Queen Boadicea: for among"
them, women were admitted to their principalities,
and general con)mands, by the right of hereditary
succession, merit, or nobdity. Such were the cus-
toms of the ancient Britons; and nearly the same
may be said of every barbarous nation of which we
have any knowledge. Only, there was one custom
among the ancient inhabitants of this Island, which
is not to be found in the accounts of any other nation
■whether ancient or modern; 1 mean, a community
of wives among certain numbers, and by common
consent. Each man married, indeed, but one woman,
■who was always alter, and she only, accounted his
wife; but it was usual for five or six, ten, twelve, or
more, cither brothers or friends, as they could agree,
to have all their wives in common. But this, which

INTRODUCTION. 17

they imagined woald promote their mutual happi-
ness, had often a very contrary tendency, producino-
jeahmsies, contentions, and murders. Every wo-
man's children were the projserty of him whose wife
she was; but all j )ined m the care and defence of
the whole conimmuty, since no man was certain
which were and v.hich were nut his own.

To estimate the wisdom of the people we must
examine the manners of ihtir teache/s, the Druids.
If the people were so barbai ous and ignorant, we
may presume that their Instructors were not much
more wise and refined. But it is almost unac-
countable, ytt so it is, that we have different, con-
tradictory, and therefore uncertain accounts of these
Druids. Some represent them as persons of learn-
ing" derived to them by long tiadition ; and say that
their skill consisted in the observation of the heavens,
and upon tlie sup[)osed influence ot their appearance,
they gas e their countrymen omens of their success
or failure. It is said, they taught a morality, which
consisted chiefly in justice and fortitude. Their
lives sA'e said to have been spent in innocence, in
woods, caverns, and hollow-trees; while they lived
upon acorns, berries, and water. They are repre-
sented as being- respected and venerated, not only
on account of their superior knowledge, but for
their holding" in contempt wlial many others valued
and sought after. And it is said, thai by their tempe-
rance and other virtues, they con ected the contrary
evils in others; and that they made use of no force,
but that of argument and example, in reforming'
their peojde; aid further, that they obtained such
authority, that they were net only piiests, but judges
also, throughout the nation. No laws were insti-
tuted without their approbation ; no person punished
with death, or bonds, but by their sentence.

But, notwithstanding the tine character which
some give them, others declare, that all their know-

18 INTRODUCTION.

ledge was imposture, their innocent simplicity a
savage love of idle solitude, and that their language
was b;iri»arous, and their manners still more so.
Probably there is some truth on both sides. They
were, it is certain, ht alhenish priests, and sacrificed
human beings, which they burned in large wicker
idols, made so capacious, as to contain a multitude
of persons, who were, in this manner, consumed to-
gether in the flames. The female Druids j>lunged
their knives into the breasts of ,the prisoners
taken in war, and prophecitd from the manner in
which the blood happened to stream from the
wound. Their altars consisted of four broad stones,
three of which were set on the edges, and the fourth
horizontally on the top, many of which may still
be seen in different parts of England, and particu-
larly in Cornwall. The Druids pretended toastro-
logy, and probably it was this, more than any pre-
tended piety, that gave them so much influence with
the people. We see in savage nations, at the pre-
sent day, that pretensions to astrology give mea
great influence, insomuch, that an astrologer is
generally considered as the second, if not the first
man, in an eastern kingdom.

But though the Druids imposed upon the people
a false religion, yet it is [)ossible, that they might
not be, strictly speaking, impostors. They them-
selves might be deceived into a belief and venera-
tion of what they taught, and then might labour to
persuade others. And as for their human sacrifices,
probably the chief part of them were prisoners
taken in war, a practice which has been common to
all savage nations. .In short, tlie religicin of the
Druids was much the same as that of every barba-
rous nation with vvhich we have any acquaintance.
This was the relij^ion which was practiced not only
in Britain, but which anciently prevailed over the
chief part, if not the whole world, and which still

INTRODUCTION. 19

continues with much variation, in many countries.
And from hence we may see the importance and
necessity of sending- missionaries to preach the gos-
pel in the benighted regions of the world. What
would Britain have been now, but for the gospel?
The introduction of Roman politeness, or any thing"
else they had to bring, would have been of little
use, if the light of the {knowledge of ♦he glorious
gospel of the son of God, had not been brought
hither, and plentifully and efficaciously preached.
It is this which tames the savage, reforms the
wicketl, creates men anew unto good works, giving
them, when accompanied by the Holy Ghost, new
hearts, and thus disposing and enabling them to
walk in newness of life. However, I am sorry to
be obliged to say, that though the gospel in hU pro-
bability, had an early introduction into this country,
it does not appear to have produced any great
general eifect for many ages. Very little religion
seems to have been in Britain prio-r to the Reforma-
tion. Ignorance and superstition seem to have
overspread the land till then. No doubt there were
some real christians: but the nundjer was so small,
and their religion so defective, that little or no ac-
count of any note has reached their posterity. But
from the time of the Reforniation, gospel light and
pure and undehled religion gained ground. God
brought good out of evil, in making, use of Henry
the Eiighth, for the introduction of the Reformation
into England, which was about the year of our
Lord 1533. The vices of Henry, and especially
in respect to his wives, were so over-ruled by God,
as greatly to promote the furtherance of pure truth
and genuine piety. After consideiable contention
between the Pope and Henry, the King renounced
the Pope ; and thus paved the way for the introduc-
tion of the doctrines which had been propagated for
some time on the continent of Europe, by the Ger-

20 INTRODUCTION.

man Reformers and their disciples. The renowned
Wickliffe, rector of Lutter.worth, in Leicestershire,
had, more than a century before, preached the
same doctrines in snbstance, for which he was
repeatedly sunmioned by the Arch!)isho|) of Can-
terbury to appear be ore a Council at Lambeth,
but having- powcrftd friends, and especially the Duke
of Lancaster, he escaped condemnation.

As I intend to avail myself of ever} fair occasion
for inserting- whatever may tend to instruct the
Christian Reader, I shall not think it any improper
digression to insert a brief account of Wickliffe. —
John Wickliffe, was born in the North of England,
and has properly been called the Morning Star of
the Reformation. About the year 1365, he was
chosen head of a college founded at Oxford for the
Scholars of Canterbury ; but the newly-addmitted
Monks insisting upon it that a Regular should be
preferred to that dignity, Wickliffe arid the Se-
culars made their appeal to the Pope, who was
Urban the Fifth, but who decided in favour of the
Monks, and obliged Wickliffe to resign. Upon
this, he retired to his living at Lutterworth, where
he openly and powerfully preached against the
tyranny and corrupt doctrines of the Church of
Rome. The doctrines preached by Wickliffe
spread so fast, and were embraced by so many
people, that the Archbishop of Canterbury summon-
ed him the third time before a Council at Lambeth,
which passed sentence of condemnation upon twenty-
four doctrinal propositions which were propagated
by him and his followers. And the Ring, Richard
the Second, was prevailed upon to issue a declara-
tion against them. But immediately after this,
Wickliffe was called away from the Church mili-
tant to the Church triumphant. This was in the
year 1384. He left many useful writings behind
him, which laid the foundation of that Reformation

INTRODUCTION. 21

which Luther antl others did afterwards promote
with so much success. Many anathemas were
thundered out against him : but his death prevented
his enemies from taking- revenge upon liis person.
But some years after, hy order of the Council
of Constance, his hones were dug up and
burnt.

Wicliliism seems nearly to have slept in England
for about a hundred and fifty years, when it awoke
and exerted itself over tlie nation, under the pa-
tronage of Cranmer, Latimer, Ridley, and others.

Henry the Eighth was succeeded by his young",
but admirable son, Kdward the Sixth, who was a
sincere and great friend to the cause of the Re-
formation. He was followed by Mary, the papistical
persecutor, who made havock of the true Church
of God, shutting many up in prison, compelling"
some to blaspheme, and j)uttingsomeof the brightest
ornaments of Christianity that ever lived, to the
most painful and cruel deaths. God, however, inter-
posed in defence of his own cause, and cut short the
reign of Mary, and raised Elizabeth to the throne,
who was a zealous protestant. And whether she had
any true religion herself, or not, she gave en-
couragement to it in others. Her reign began very
favourably in regard to religion : but she soon ren-
dered it but too apparent that persecution was not
all confined to papists. She inflicted great punish-
ments upon some of the holiest men in the nation,
because that, in some points, they differed in judg-
ment from the established church. These Puritans,
as they were called, asserted the right of private
judgment, for which they were considered as
dangerous to the State, Oppression, however,
was so far from annihilating them, that
they increased in proportion as they were
persecuted. And thus has the Church of God

D

22 INTRODUCTION.

been in all ages, the great sii^ht that was shewn
to Moses, a bush burning in the fire, and yet
unconsunied.

The persecuted party here spoken of, were dis-
satisfied with the Relormation, because they thought
it was not carried tar enuo^gh. For while the au-
thoiity of tne Pope was renounced, and some
branches of Popery were laid aside, there was still
much popish superstition retained in the Church.
These men tliought the Church ought to be so re-
formed, as to renounce all human additions, and be
brought back to the scripture model. Otliers con-
tended in favour of retaining certain Rites and Ce-
remonies, under the idea, that they ornamented the
Church, and set off, to greater advantage, the beau-
ties of holiness. And this principle has, in fact, been
the grand source of many of the disputes which have
agitated the Church of Christ. Vain man would
fain appear to be wise, and is often so self-sufficient
as to think he can improve the productions of the
wisdom of God. Human inventions, and the exer-
cise of human authority iji matters pertaining to
religion, have often inflicted upon the Church,
" wounds, and bruises, and putrifying sores," and
spread contusion and destruction over the vineyard
of the Lord. And the evil is tlie more melancholy,
as it has no bounds except the fancies of men. For,
if men have a right to make one addition to the
institutions of Christ, why v^oi tivu? And if two,
wliy not twenty; or even twenty times twenty?
And it o)ie Temporal or Spiritual Ruler, may do
such things, why not another j and that even if he
should be of a different description, and propose
measures of a kind directly opposite to those of his
predecessor? And it is possible, that human addi-
tions may become so numerous, as to engross so
much of the attention of the professors of Chris-

INTRODUCTION. 23

tianity, that the Institutions of Christ may be almost
forg-otten. And these himian inventions, may be so
different and discordant, as to promote inniimerahle
contentions and divisions amono that flock ol Christ,
which should hold the unity ot the Spirit in the bond
of peace. Add to this, that men who undertake to
make additions to the v\'ord of God, or to do what
is the same in effect, to enforce terms of commu-
nion, and make certain things to be duties, and
matters of conscience, which have no foundation
in the Scriptures, ought to produce some clear and
satisfactory proof that the Lord has invested them
with authority so to do. To be able to do this,
merely by reproaching-, fining", imprisoning-, and
otherwise afflicting; their opponents, will furnish no
proper evidence of their divine auth' riiy, at least
to those who have so learned Christ as to bring-
every thing to the Law and the Testimony. But
of these things, it is probable, 1 siiall have occasion,
and that moie than once, in the course of this little
production, to state my sentiments.

During- the reig-ns of James the First, and
Charles the First, the Puritans increased in number
and influence, notwithstanding- their discourag-e-
ments and persecutions. The more moderate of
the Puritans, wishing- to steer a middle course,
between a total separation from the established
Church, and an undeviating conformity, were at-
tacked by some of the Bishops with this argument :
— " Ail who wilfully refuse to obey the King-, in
all things indiflerent, and to conform themselves to
the Church authorized by him, not contrary to God's
word, are Schismatics, enemies to the king-'s Su-
premacy and the State, and are not to be tolerated
in the Church or Commonwealth." To this the
Puritans answered, " All those who fi;eely and
willingly perform to the King and the State, all

24 INTRODUCTION.

obedience, not only in thing's necessary but indif-
ferent, commanded by law, and that have always
been ready to conform to evek-y order of tlie Church
authorized by him, not contrary to the word oi"
God, are free from all Schism, friends to the King-'s
Supremacy and the State, and do not deserve to be
thus molested in Church or Commonwealth. But
there are none of us, (said they,) who have been
deprived or suspended from our ministry, but who
have ever been ready to do all this ; therefore we
are free from Schism, friends to the Kings supre-
macy, and therefore not deserving" of the molesta-
tions which we»suffcr."

The rigorous proceedings of the Bishops, served
to alienate the Puritans from the Church, some of
them declaring it to be unlawful to hold commuion
with it, because it was not only a corrupt but per-
secuting Church. Meantime, some of the Divines
of the Church, and especially the young ones, who
preached for preferment, abused those who sepa-
rated, calling them Fanatics, Schismatics, Heretics,
and enemies to God and the King ; using the very
same language which the Papists had done against
the first Reformers.

The Puritans very properly asked their adver-
saries, what they had done contrary to Christianity :
*' Have we," said tliey, ** raised any tumult ? Has
the state been put into any hazard through us?
Manilbld disgraces have been put upon us, and we
have endured them. The liberty of our ministry has
been taken from us, and we liave sustained it, though
with bleeding hearts. We have been cast out of our
houses, and de[>rived of our ordinary maintenance,
yet have we blown no trumpet of sedition." They
complied to the utmost extent of their consciences,
and when they could not go to the full length
required, they submitted to sufferings. What

INTRODUCTION 25

genuine Christian, who has formed any just ideas
of the rights of men in a civil and religious sense,
does not feel his heart warm to these men, and at
the same time to rise with holy indignation aoainst
their • protestant-papist persecutions. And the
memory of these worthy men is the more interesting,
as they and their posterity were the chief causes,
under God, of all the civil and religious liberty
which is to be found in the whole world. Their
painful and long continued struggles aoainst the
civil and ecclesiastical tyranny of the Stuarts,
obtained the portion of liberty for which Enoland
has been so much celebrated, and by which it has
been so much benefited. And the civil and reli-
gious liberty with which the United States of
America are favoured, may be traced to the same
venerable sources. For while America was little
better than a desert, and which for ages after con-
tinued to be to England what Botany Bay, or New
South-Wales is now, that is, a receptacle for such
criminals as the mother country refused to harbour
any longer: as far back as the reigns of the James's
and the Charles's, great numbers of persecuted
Puritans, left the land which persecuted them, and
literally fled into the wilderness. And the princi-
ples which enabled them thus to endure as seeing
him who is invisible, tliey taught to their offspring,
and that so impressively, that these again instilled
the same into their descendants. They were the
cradle and nursery of all the liberty, civil and
religious, which is in America. And as the chief
part of the notions of liberty, which exist on the
Continent of Europe have been taken from Eng-
land or America, we may say, that nearly
all the liberty, and all the ideas of liberty,
which are in the world, may be traced back
to the ancient English Puritans. Yea as 1

26 INTRODUCTION.

pass along, and hasten to a nearer approach
to them, let me su^^-est to the Methodists, that all
the liberty and protection, with which they have
been favoured, and also the Gospel-light which
they enjoy, vvas in a great measure, procured for
them by the hardships, imprisonments, and other
sufferings, of these same Puritans. It may be pro-
per to notice that though these observations may
appear to be considerably remote from the avowed
subject of this Book, they are more nearly con-
nected with it than may at first sight appear. I
undertake to write the Life of Dr. Coke, chiefly
with regard to his connexion with religion, and its
promotion in the world. Religion cannot be ex-
tended without some measure of religious liberty.
Besides, there is a wide difference between a cor-
rupted superstitious religion, and the pure unadul-
terated truth as it is in Jesus. And as the Puritans
had such an ample share in promoting both purity
of religion, and true religious liberty, and as
religious and civil liberty are very closely
connected, it would have been almost criminal
not to have taken the notice of these which I
have.

There seems to have been a general and deep
sense of Religion in England, and still more so,
perhaps, in Scotland, before the war broke out
between Charles the First and the Parliament.
Some pious people espoused his cause, vvhde the
majority of them took the ottier side. And that
their motives for making this choice were pure, at
least as to the generality of them, 1 ihink th^recan
be little doubt. However correct or incorrect their
views might be, in a political point of
view, they wished to promote that cause
which they thought would tend the most to
promote the cause of truth and holiness, or.

INTRODUCTION. 27

that would at least, do the least injury to real
Christianity.

If any further evidence was wanting- upon this
point, that evid( nee might soon be furnished. But
I proceed to observe, that when the licentious
Monarch, Charles the Second, ascended the Throne
of his Ancestors, the pious of the land were imme-
diately peisecuted, afflicted, and tormented. Even
Mr. Wesley remarks, in his journals, alter men-
tioning his reading- an account of the sufferings of
the church of Scotland during- this reign, that he
was far worse than bloody Queen Maiy Not less
than eight thousand, it is confidently affirmed, died
in prison, whose conscientious conduct had brought
them thither, during his reign. And grej»t multi-
tudes who were immured in jail, were released,
sooner or later; vast multitudes were more or less
impoverished by the persecution of the times ; while
many more, as before mentioned, crossed the
Atlantic ocean, and soug-lit for an asylum in the
woods of the New World. The Act of uniformity,
which took place on the black and memorable Bar-
tholomew Day, 1662, was the most fatal stroke that
was ever given to true piety in England. B} this act,
nearly tv o thousand of the most pious, able, and
faithful ministers in the land, were cut off from the
Church of England in a single day. The act was
such, and required such sacrifices and compliances,
that very few truly conscientious ministers could
comply with it. This lamentable event, made the
pious and useful Mr. Richard Baxter exclaim,
*' O ! that we had but the gilt of tongues, to
enable us to proclaim the gospel in other lands ;
for then 1 should be satisfied!" And there cannot
be a doubt, that if there had then been such open-
ings for foreign Missions as we have lived to see,
many of these good and eminent ministers of Christ,

28 INTRODUCTION.

uonld have taken llieir lives in their hands, and
gone to whatever region Providence should have
pointed out the way. And how thankful should
we be, tliat we can not only enjoy religious liberty
in our own land, and which has lately received
additional security and increase, but that the fields
are white unto the harvest in many distant
heathenish countries. One remarkable instance
of this is, that the leading Subject of this book was
taking six Missionaries to propagate true Christi-
anity in India, when He, whose thoughts and ways,
for wise but mysterious reasons, often differ from
those of men, was pleased to call him most sud-
denly into another, and, 1 doubt not, a better
world. Clouds and darkness rest upon this part of
the dispensations of Divine Providence : but what
we know not now we shall know hereafter. *' I
was dumb," said the Psalmist, *' because thou
didst it." And perhaps one chief reason for this
mournful Providence was, the more clearly to shew
the world that the work is of God ; to save us from
attributing too much to man, and to convince us
more than ever, that when the Lord has a work to
do, he can never be at a loss for instruments. And
if the labours of the men at whose head the Doctor
was going to India, should he attended with suc-
cess, in the Island of Ceylon and else where, the Provi-
dence of God will not only be justified^ but glorified.
But to return. When Charles the Second had been
instrumental in almost extirpating all serious god-
liness out of the nation, his brother James the Second
succeeded him, and endeavoured to reestablish the
superstition and darkness of popery, which he did
very nearly accomplish. But the good hand of
God was once more displayed in favour of Britain
and the cause of true religion. Things had reached
an alarming crisis ; the Prince of Orange was in-

INTRODUCTION. 20

vited from Holland, and who had married a daugh-
ter of James. He arrived with a body of forces,
and James fled to Fiance, and lost his crown.
William was much indebted to the Puritans, and
he repaid them by securino- to them liberty of con-
science by the Act of Toleration. From that time,
religion began again to revive. Someofthe Bishops
were good and useful men. And the remains of
the Puritans, or the non- conformists, as I hey were
now called, began to lift up their heads. They
built meeting houses, or chapels, in many places,
and numerous congregations of them were
established. But though they exerted themselves
much, and with considerable success, in promoting
the reformation and evangelization of the nations,
it does not appear that they had any very great
success. Religion, in a great measure, drooped
and languished. There was a society which received
the countenance and support of the Government,
called the Society for the Reformation of Manners,
which was of considerable service at this time: and
the private religious societies, which were formed
in many parts of England, under the patronage of
the pious Dr. Horneck, did still more good. Many
of these Societies seem to have occupied a place
somewhat resembling the office of John the Bap-
tist: I mean, they served to prepare the way for
introducing Methodism. Many of them were in
existence in Bristol, and other places, when Mr.
Wesley began his itinerant career, and gave
him the most friendly reception and encourage-
ment.

At this period, however, religion was at a deplo-
rably low ebb, as to the nation at large. The
sound orthodox principle of the Reformers still
continued in the Prayer Books, the Articles, and
Homilies; but in general, what was delivered from

E

90 INTRODUCTION,

the Pulpit, was of a very different description; and
was withal, so delivered, and so little recommended
by the general conduct of the main hody of the
clergy, that the public were but little affected by
such a ministry. The Dissenters had a congre--
gation here and there ; but except in a few places,
comparatively speaking, these were not very large.
And some of their ministers were getting into that
way of refining- upon the religion of their forefathers
which has since led to A.rianism, Socinianism, and
the great desertion of their places of worship. But
just when thinos were in this low and almost hope-
less state, God arose to maintain his own cause,
and to work for his own glory and the good of
mankind. And the way and manner in which he
did this, afforded another proot, that his thoughts
and ways are not as those of men. He began to
accomplish great purposes by means apparently in-
ade(p»ate. In giving the reader the necessary
information upon this head, I must here insert as a
second part of the Introduction to the Life of Dr.
Coke,

A CONCISE VIEW OF METHODISM,

Comprehending a narrative of the rise, progress,
and present state of the Methodists, especially the
Wesleyan Methodists, to whom Dr. CoKE attached
himself; and a brief yet full view of then- Doctrines
and Discipline. Of the rise of this now numerous
denomination of Christians, I shall insert first the
account which their founder, the Rev. John
Wesley gave many years ago in his *' Short History
of Melhodism.^'

<' In November, IriO," says he, "four young
gentlemen of Oxford, Mr. John Wesley, Fellow of
Lincoln-College; Mr. Charles Wesley, Student of

INTRODUCTION. 31

Christ-Church ; Mr. Morg-an, Commoner of Christ-
Church ; and Mr. Kirkman, of Merton-College,
began to spend some evenings in a week together
in reading chiefly the Greek Testament. The next
year two or three of Mr. John Wesley's pupils de-
sired the liberty of meeting with them ; and after-
wards one of Mr. Charles Wesley's pupils, it was
in 17;32, that Mr. Ingham, of Queen's-College,
and Mr. Broughton, of Exeter-College, were added
to their number. To these in April, was joined^
Mr. Clayton, of Brazen-Nose, with two or three
of his pupils. About the same time, Mr. James
Hervev was permitted to meet with them; and, in
1735. Mr. Whitfield."

The exact regularity of their lives, as well as
studies, occasioned a young Gentleman, of Christ-
Church, to say, *' Here is a new set of Methodists
sprung up ;" alluding to some ancient Physicians,
who were so called. The name was new and quaint,
so it took immediately ; and the Methodists were
known all over the University.

They were all zealous members of the Church
of England; not only tenacious of all her doctrines,
so far as they knew them, but of all her discipline,
to the minutest circumstance. They were likewise
zealousobservers of all the University-Statutes, and
that for conscience' sake. But they observed
neither these nor any thing else, any further than
they conceived it was bound upon them by that
one book, the Bible; it being their one desire
and design to be down-right Bible Christians :
taking the Bible, as interpreted by the primitive
Church and our own, for their whole and sole
rule."

" The one charge then advanced against them
was, that they were righteous overmuch;" that
they were abmulantly too scrupulous and too strict,

^2 INTRODUCTION.

carrying" things to great extremes. In particular,
that they laid too much stress upon the rubrics and
canons of the church; that they insisted too much
on observing the statutes of the University ; and
that they took the Scriptures in too strict and
literal a sense; so that, if they were right, few
indeed would be saved."

" Jn October, 1735, Messrs. John and Charles
Wesley, and Mr. Ingham, left England, with a
design to go and preach to the Indians in Georgia.
But the rest of the gentlemen continued to meet,
till one and another was ordained, and left the
University. By which means, in about two years
time, not one of them was left."

** In February, 1708, Mr. Whitfield went over
to Georgia, with a design to assistMr, John Wesley ;
but Mr. Wesley just then returned to England.
Soon after he had a meeting with Messrs. Ingham,
Stonehouse, Hall, Hutchings, Kitchin, and a few
other clergymen, who all appeared to i)e of one
heart, as well as of one judgment, resolved to be
Bible-Christians at all events; and wherever the\'^
were, to preach with all their might, plain old
Bible Christianity."

"They were hitherto perfectly legularin all things
and zealously attached to the Church of England.
Meantime they began to be convinced, that " by
grace we are saved, through faith;" that justifica-
tion by faith is the Doctrine of tlie Church, as well
as of the Bible. As soon as they btlieved, they
spake; salvation by faith being now their standing
topic. Indeed this implied three things : 1. That
men are all by nature, dead in sin, and conse-
quently, children of wrath : 2. Tliat they are
justified by faith alone: 3. That faith pro-
duces inward and outward holiness. And these
points they insisted on day and night. In a

INTRODUCTION. 33

short time, they became popuhir preachers, the
congreg'ations were large wherever they preached.
The former name was revived, and all these g'en-
tlemen, with their followers, were entitled metho-
dists."

" In March, 1741, Mr. Whitfield being' returned
to England, entirely separated from Mr. Wesley
and his friends, because he (Mr. Wesley) did not
hold the decrees.'" Here was the first breach which
warm men persuaded Mr. Whitfield to make,
merely for a difference of opinion. Those indeed
who believed general redemption, had no desire at
all to separate. But those who held particular
redemption, would not hear of any accommodation,
being determined to have no fellowship with men
that " were in such dang'erous errors." So there
were, now two sorts of Methodists so called; those
for particular, and those for general redemption !

In a few years, Mr. Romaine, and M r, Madan, both
of London, Mr. Venn, Vicar of Huddersfield, Mr.
Berridge, Vicar of Everton, and a few other cler-
gymen, who, although they had no connexion w ith
each other, yet preaching salvation by faith, and
endeavouring to live as becometh the Gospel,
they were soon denominated Methodists. And this
was the general lot of all who preached about tlie
fall and depravity of human nature, the plan of
salvation by faith in Jesus Christ, and who stre-
nuously insisted upon the necessity of outward and
inward holiness.

Perhaps it is necessary to inform the reader, that
between Mr. Wesley's return from America, and
his beginning to form Societies in England, he had
paid a visit to the Unitas Fratrum, or Moravian
Brethren, at Hernhuth, in Upper Lusatia, in the
dominions of the Emperor of Austria. He had
become acquainted with some of this sect on bis
passage to America, and he enlarged that ac-
2. , E

X

54 INTRODUCTION.

qiiftintance during- his continuance there. An3 he
had conceived such a hig-h opinion of their piety,
their doctrines, and discipline, that he resolved to
spend some time at their Head-Quarters for liis
own personal edification. And indeed, the Mora-
vians were to Mr. Wesley what Acquila and
Priscilla were to Apollos, that is, they taught him
the way of God more perfectly than he before knew
it. It was from them, that he imbibed the doctrine
of instantaneous justification by faith, and that of
the direct w itness of the Spirit. And he also took
from them the practices so universal among' the
Wcsleyan Methodists, namely the meeting- in classes
and bands, as well as the holding of I.ove-feasts.
Methodism, in fact, is l)nt a second edition of Mo-
ravianism, amended and enlarged. In some of his
first movements, after his return from Hernhuth, he
seems to have wished to have cultivated not only a
friendship, but a real christian union m ith the Mora-
vian Brethren then in England, and especially with
those in London. But obstacles occurred, and such
insuperable difficulties were thrown in the way,
that he ceased to assemble with tfcem, as he had
done for a little time, and even published the differ-
ences between them and him. However, he seems
to have retained a great regard for the Moravians
as long as he lived. And there can be no doubt,
that he, numbers of his followers, and many Mora-
vians, are for ever intermingled with the general
assembly who inherit glory, and sitig the song of
Moses and of the Lamb.

As the Moravians are a remarkable people, and
have occupied a distinguished j^iace in the true
Church of Christ, and do so at the present; and as
it is tlie intention of the author of thi^^ work, to give
a choice selection, briefly expressed, of such infor-
mation as may contribute to the instruction and
grittification of his readeis, when not foreign to the

INTROBUCTIONe 3.>

main oJjjecty a sliort account of the Moravians av ill
yevy properly come in here.

The Unitas Fratrum, or United Brethren, or
Moravian Brethren, claim spiritual kindred, not
only with Martin Luther, John Huss, and Jeromer
of Prague, but trace their descent from the Wal-
densis and Albigensis. Martin Luther was boni
in 1483, ill Saxony, and died in 1552. He was the
S^reat champion of the lleformation of Christianity
iVom Popery. But the outlines of his history are
generally known. John Huss lived more than a
century before Luther, being born in Bohemia in
1376, where he became minister of a Church. The
■Nvriting's of our countryman, John Wickliffe, before
mentioned, discovered to him the corruptions of
the church of Rome, and excited him to promote a
reformation, in which he was so far successful as
to have a number of followers, who were therefore
called Hussites. The clergy instigated the Pope to
issue a Bull against these reputed heretics r but as
Huss was favoured and protected by the king of Bo-
hemia, he was sheltered for a season, and the work of
Reformation w^ni on. When the council of Con-
stance was called, John Huss was cited to appear,
to give an account of his doctrine ; and to encourage
him so to do, the Emperor Sigismund sent him a
safe conduct, or pass-port, and engaged for hi*
security. On the strength of this, he made his
appearance, but w^as almost instantly thrown into
prison, and treated as a criminal. And after being
confined for several months, he was sentenced to be
burnt as an incorrigible heretic, which torment he
endured in 1 115 with steady fortitude. His perse-
cutors threw his ashes into the river Rhine.

Jerome of Prague, so called because he was born
at Prague in Bohemia, was a disciple of John Huss,
and a man of considerable learning. The council
of Constance cited him before them at the same

36: INTRODUCTION.

time as John Huss. Upon arriving there, and thicT.-
ing' tiiat Huss was thrown into prison, he secretly
wit: drew'. But before he reached home, he was
apprehended by liis enemies, and sent back to Con-
stance in chains. After being- cruelly treated for
some time, he was consigned to the flames, which
he endured with fortitude and joy, in 1416.

When we observe, in the above accounts, that John
Huss is represented as being the disciple of Wick-
liffe, and Jerome of Prague as being the disciple of
Huss, and the Moravian Brethren as claiming their
spiritual pedigree from Luther and Huss, it seems
to falsify the idea of their being- the religious de-
scendents of the Waldensis and Albigensis. But
still there may be no inconsistency in the matter.-
For when we consider, that the Waldenses and
Albigenses, had an existence some centuries before
WicklifFe, and when we further observe, that many
of these w orthies, after being hunted out of their
native vales and hills, are, by some historians, repre-
sented as fleeing into Germany, and especially into
Bohemia, the accounts may be as consistent as the
distance of time, and other circumstances, will well
admit.

Mr. Wesley gives us some very interesting par-
ticulars relating to the chief branch of them, which
has attracted so much notice in modern times, in
the Journal which he wrote upon his visit to them.
Hernhuth, he says, is about thirty English miles
from Dresden, lying in Upper Lusatia, on the bor-
der of Bohemia. It then contained only about an
hundred houses, built on a rising ground, with ever-
green woods on two sides, gardens and corn flelds
on the others, and high hills at a small distance.
It had one long street ; fronting the middle of this
street was the Orphan-house, in the lower part of
Avhich was the apothecary's shop, in the upper, the
chapel, capable of containing six or seven hmidred

INTRODUCTION. 37

people. Another row of houses ran at a small
distance from each end of the Orphan-house, &c.
Mr. Wesley gives some very interesting- accounts
of the different services at which he was present,
and of religious conversations he had with sundry
of them, as well as of the Sermons which he heard
some of them preach.

It seems that wotwithstanding their inoffensive
conduct, they have frequently been brought into
difficulties and dangers. About the year 1729, the
Jesuits informed the Emperor, that Count Zinzen-
dorf was gathering together all the Moravians and
Bohemians, forming tliem into one body, and mak-
ing a new religion. Commissioners were sent to
Hernhuth to examine the truth of this. Through
these they said to the Emperor; — 1. " We l>elieve
the Church of the Bohemian and Moravian Bre-
thren, from whom we are descended, to have been
a holy and undefiled Church, as owned by Luther
and other protestant divines : we own also, said
they, that our doctrine agrees with theirs ; but
our discipline they have not."

2. Bnt we do not rest upon the holiness of our
ancestors : it being our continual care, to show
that we are passed from death unto life, by wor-
shipping in spirit and in truth, &c.

3. Whoever they are, who being sprinkled by the
blood of Christ, are sanctified through faith, we
receive them as brethren, although in some points
they may differ from us, &c.

4. Discipline we judge to be necessary in the
highest degree, for all those who have any know-
ledge of divine truth : and we can therefore in no
wise forsake that, which we have received from our
forefathers," &c. &c.

And v^'hen, three years afterwards, they were
agaii^ required to give an account ot themselves,
they said, '' None can be ignorant of the religion ot

38 INTRODTJCTIOTT.

onr ancestors, wlio have read the history of Johre
Huss. Some of his followers endeavoured to repei
force by force. The rest, having- better learned
Christ, obtained leave of Georg-e Podibrad, King*
of Bohemia, to retire and live apart. Retiring- ac-
cordingly, in the year 1453, to a place on the borders
of Silesia and Moravia, they lived in peace till the
time of Luther and Calvin, with both of whom, as
Avith their followers, they maintained a friendly
intercourse," &c.

After spending about a fortnight at Hernhuth,.
Mr. Wesley says, " I would gladly have speat my
life here ; but my master calling me to labour in
another part of his vineyard, I was constrained to^
take my leave of this happy place." — We shall have
occasion to mention the Moravians aa^ain in this
publication,and especially when we come to the sub-
ject of missions, in which Dr. Cokesomuch distin-
guished himself.

It was in September, 1738, that Mr. Wesley
returned from Germany to London. He and hi<v
brother Charles were invited to preach in many
parts of London, with which invitations they so
complied, as frequently to preach three or four
times a day. The points they chiefly insisted upon
were, 1. That orthodoxy, or right opinion, is at best,
but a very slender part of religion, if it be reckoned
to be any part of it at all : that, neither does religioiv
consist in negatives, or bare harmlessness : nor
merely in externals, or doing" good, or using- the
means of grace, in works of piety, so called, or of
charity : that it is nothing short of, or difterent froni^
the mind that was in Christ, the image of God
stamped upon the heart, inward righteousness,
attended with the peace of God, and joy in the
Holy Ghost. 2. That the only way to this religion
IS, "Repentance towards God, and faitli in our
Lord Jesus Christ." 3. That by this faith, " He

INTRODUCTIOX. 39

thtit worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth
the ungodly, is justitied freely by his grace, through
the redemption which is in Jesus Christ." 4. That
being ** justified by faith," we taste of the heaven
to which we are going : we are holy and happy :
we tread down sin and fear, and sit in heavenly
places in Christ Jesus." Many heard, and feared,
and turned mito the Lord. A society was imme-
diately raised, which continually increased. They
were soon invited to other parts of the nation, and
speedily established societies at Bristol, Newcastle-
upon-Tyne, in Yorkshire, Cornwall ; and in a few
years, in all directions. East, West, North, and
South. But reproaches were plentifully poured
upon them, and especially upon Mr. John Wesley,
who was the most active and leading man. But
■these seem not to have moved him, but rather to
have inflamed his zeal and invigorated his resolution.
He pursued his labours with the zeal and steadiness
of an apostle. His great support and stimulus
was, that he believed what he was engaged in to be
" The work of God," which he explained as being,
** The conversion of^inners from sin to holiness."
For tlie promotion of this, he considered himself
and his iellow-helpers as chosen instruments. A
passage in one of his Sermons, shall serve as a spe-
cimen of his ideas and language upon this point.
^' A few young raw h^ads, said the Bishop of London,
what can they pretend to do ? — They pretended to
be that in the hand of God, that a pen is in the hand
of a man. They pretended, and do so at this day,
to do the work whereunto they are sent; to do just
what the Lord pleased. And if it be his pleasure
to throw down the walls of Jericho, the strong-
holds of Satan, not by the engines of war, but by
the blasts of rams' horns, who shall say unto him.
What doest thou ?"

He considered Methodism, so called, not only

40 INTRODUCTION.

as a signal revival of relisfion, but as a principal
preparative to the glory of the latter clays, when
the fulness of the Gentiles shall come in, and all
Israel shall be saved.

Mr. AVesley's original plan is supposed to have
been, to have formed an union of Clergyman of the
established Church for promoting a revival of
religion : but this was a scheme which he found it
impossible to carry into execution. In the year
1742, he strongly expi'essed his desire for a Clergy-
man who would help him in the work in which he
was engaged : but he added, " I know none such
who is willing to cast in his lot with us. And I
scarcely expect, I shall : because I know how fast
they are riveted in the service of the world and the
devil, before they leave the University." And he
had not much more success among the clergy in
the later than in the first stages of Methodism. So
that after sundry attempts by circular letters, and
other methods, he abandoned the attempt.

And as he could not prevail upon the serious
part of the clergy in the Church, to form an union
subservient to his vicMs, so hardly any clergymen
seemed to be willing to share his labour and reproach
by attaching himself to him, and becoming his
coadjutor in the work. It is a fact, that Methodism
has been very principally promoted by the labours
of what have so often been denominated laymen.
Even Mr. Grimshaw and Mr. Fletcher, though
they were Methodists in principle, and occasionally
associated with Mr. Wesley and his preachers, yet
neither of them relinquished his Church to become
a plain Methodist preacher. A very few clergy-
men, such as they were, threw in their lot with Mr.
Wesley, in his latter days; but scarcely one of them
was of any eminence or special service. Dr. Coke
excepted. In addition to other good things that
we shall have to say of him, we must not forget Xq

INTRODUCTION. 41

give him the lionour due unto his name, that thoup-h
very capable of making his way to honourable
distinction in the Church, and with encouraoin*'-
prospects from his friends and connexions, yet he
chose rather to suffer labour, reproach, and affliction
with Mr. Wesley, and the despised and persecuted
Methodists, than to enjoy ease and emoluments
among those who manifested so little piety, and
exlubited so little zeal to promote the spread of truth
and righteousness in the world. In a case so pal-
pable and striking, one might think that there
would be but one opinion as to such a man's motives.
But, experience has often shewn that no man, and no
conduct, can preserve persons from being suspected
and reproached by some of their fellow creatures.
It was so with Dr. Coke. Some thought, that he
had an aspiring, though lurking ambition, to be
one day at the head of the Methodists. This it is
certain he never attained to, and yet he continued
among them, and was their 'willing drudge in what-
ever service they thought proper to emplo}^ him.
But to return to tiie infancy of Methodism.

One of the most novel and striking circumstances
in the commencement of Methodism is, what is
termed Field Preaching ; that is, preaching in the
open air, in the streets and lanes of the city, or
in the highways, or wherever a congregation could
assemble. Mr. Whitfield, it seems, was his prede-
cessor in preaching in the open air, at least in Eng-
land. The religious Societies before mentioned,
not being able to provide a place that would con-
tain one tenth of the people that crowded to hear -
Mr. W bitfield, he took his stand out of doors. Mr.
Wesley went to Bristol, by Mr. Whitfield's invi-
tation, and when he came thither, the largeness of
tlie congregations induced him also to imitate his
liord and master, who preached in a ship, or on a
monntain. Mr. Wesley, it seems, had preached
2. F

42 INTRODUCTION,

once, at least, in the open air, during- his missfoa
in America, in 1735, but it does not appear that he
liad any thoughts of doing- so in England, till IMr,
Whittield had set him the example in Bristol.
April the 2d, 1739, Mr, Wesley first preached in
the open air, in England, which was on an eminence,
in the suburbs of Bristol. And as his first effort as a
Field-Preacher was at Bristol, so it is highly proba-
ble, it was at the same place he preached out of door»
for the last time. He preached there, in Carolina
Court, on the Sunday Evening", after the conclu-
sion of the Conference, 1790, about five months
before his death.

Upon a serious con&i<5eration of the subject, it
may appear remarkable that any objection should
be made to preaching out of doors. Ezra stood
upon a pulpit of wood, placed in the street, and
read in the book of the law of Moses which the
liord had commanded to Israel, from the morning*
imtil mid-day, and the ears of all the people were
attentive, Nehemiah, chap. 8. Abraham, Jacobs
and other Patriarchs, frequently worsliipped, or had
their divine service, under an oak» And what is
equal to a thousand instances, and an answer to ten
thousand instances, the best Sermon that ever was,
or ever will be delivered, was preached by our Lord
and Saviour Jesus Christ, in the open air, and upon
a mountain. Mr. W esley chose part of that Sermon
for his text when he began to preach out of doors
at Bristol. Perhaps it may not be improper, before
we quit this topic, just to remark, that formerly,
sundry of the dignified clergy in London made no
scruple of holding forth at St. Paul's Cross, as
some of the title-pages of their Sermons testify :
ajul at Oxford itself there was a stone Pul|)it out of
doors, at the University, in which, in former days,
many a great and learned man, thought it no dis-
grace to preach. But since the field preuchiug of

INTRODUCTION. 43

the Methodists attracted the attention of the public,
the old rostrum at Oxford has beeti pulled down.

Anotlier singular circumstance, of early date in
Methodism, is Lay -Preaching : that is, the preaching
of men who were not professedly educated for the
pulpit, nor ever received any ordination to the office,
whether Episcopal, Presbyterian, or of any other de-
scription. This circumstance has furnished an objec-
tion, which has often been urged against the Metho-
<lists with considerable force. Thefact hashappened
partly unavoidably and partly voluntarily. It was
luiavoidable at his commencement. Ordained minis-
ters would not assist Mr.Wesley; thework, which in-
creased so rapidly upon his hands, required a number
of fellow-labourers, aftd mearisingupinhis societies,
able and willing to help him and the societies, he
was, after some hesitation, of opinion, that such men
ought to be employed. However, he thought the
case extraordinary, holding fast still his notions of
the great distinction between the Clergy and the
Laity. And he used every endeavour to impress
such an idea upon the minds of the Lay-Preachers
whom he employed. And it was this above all
other things, which prevented some form of ordi-
uation from being introduced and generally prac-
tised in Mr. Wesley's Connexion. And it is not
impossible that one motive for keeping up this
marked distinction was, a desire to maintain a
more dutiful subordination among the preachers to
Mr. Wesley's paramount authority. This he
never lost sight of : and he seems to have sin-
cerely believed that this was necessary for the pros-
perity of the work in which he was so succesfully
engaged. And when we consider, that as to eccle-
siastical government, he was an episcopalian, and
as to civil government, a firm friend to monarchy,
it is not so easy to charge him with inconsistency,
m despotism, as it otherwise would have been.

44 INTRODUCTION.

It is proper, however, that I should here remark,
that though the methodist preachers do not receive
any thing" that goes by the name ot" ordination, that
nevertheless they have all the essentials of it. The
circumstance in which they are deficient, the cere-
mony of laying" of hands, is certainly of very infe-
rior moment, to the examination of their morals,
piety, abilities, and usefulness, both when they are
admitted on trial, and received into full connexion.
But considering" the ideas which multitudes attach
to it, and that apostolic usage sanctions the prac-
tice, and that it might now be introduced without
any difficulty, it is to be hoped, that the day is not
far off when the imposition of hands will be added
to the other process which is now gone through,
when the preachers, after passing" through their
probationary term with approbation, are admitted
into full connexion.

It cannot be improper to observe, that various
motives were attributed to the conduct of Mr.
Wesley, and most of these not very charitable or
candid ones, when he began to preach so frequently,
and in so many places ; and especially when he
began to form Methodist Societies. Many enter-
tained the opinion, that he did, at a very early
period, lay a plan for his future proceedings, influ-
ence, and authority. He being aware of this, took
the opportunity so early as 1738, to inform the
readers of his J ournal, that he was in haste to return
to Oxford, to bury himself in his beloved obscurity;
but being detained in London, week after week,
1)V the Trustees for Georgia, from whence he was
just returned, he was importuned to preach in many
of the Churches ; that partly on account of the
vast multitudes, and partly his unfashionable doc-
trine, he was at length shut out of all the Churches;
and that not daring to be silent, after a short strug'-
g'lc between honour and conscience, he made a

INTRODUCTION. 45

"Virtue of necessity, and preached in the middle of
Moornelds ; that several came to him for his advice,
till they increased to about a hundred, whose names
he took down, that he might visit them from house
to house." And he solemnly assured the public,
that without any previous plan or design, the Society
was in this way originally formed.

It is clear that Mr. Wesley was an instrument in
tlie hand of that supreme and eternal Being, who is
the God of grace as well as the God of Providence ;
who doeth every thing after the counsel of his own
will ; and who, when he has a Avork to do, can
never be at a loss to find a proper instrument. And
one of the greatest oversights that ever serious peo-
ple have been guilty of respecting Methodism, has
been, the viewing it too much as the work of man,
and too little as the work of God : or at least while
they considered it supremely as the work of God,
that it very chiefly and essentially depended upon
the instrumentality of certain men. Hence it was,
that there was a general expectation, that whenever
Mr. Wesley should die, Methodism would either
come to nothing, or be at least greatly diminished.
JN ay, he himself can hardly be exempted from some-
thing of this error. It was an opinion, which he
had long cherished, that when he should die, that
about one third of the preachers would settle ,in
separate independent congregations ; that about
another third would get episcopal ordination, and
become ministers of the Church of England ; while
the other third, would continueunitcd asMethodists,
and proceed as heretofore forming and governing
religious Societies. The event proved, however,
how little even judicious and sagacious men can
penetrate into futurity, and that respecting things
with which they are most intimate. But more of
this in its prop r place.

As Mr John W esley ^vas fi-om its very inAuicy,

4d * INTRODUCTION.

the leading' man in Metliodism, and as the people
and preachers viewed him in that light, it can be
no wonder, if he considered himself as placed at
the head of the body by God himself. This, it is
clear, from various passages in his writings, was
his persuasion. His power and influence seemed
to be by Divine Authority ; the generality of both
Preachers and people acquiesced in the idea ; his
talents and conduct were suitable ; and for a
long period, he was to the Methodists, the minister
of God for good. They knew him who laboured
among them, and was over them, and they esteem-
ed him highly in love for his work's sake, 1 Thes.
V. 12, 13. Every additional society was an acces-
sion to his influence. An increase of the societies
required an increase in the number of the
preachers ; and additional preachers generally
promoted an increase of people, so that both the
preachers and people perpetually increased and
multiplied, and that very remarkably.

A thing so novel in some of its most prominent
features, as Methodism then was, and which so
rapidly gained ground, might very naturally be
expected to produce much opposition and nume-
rous objections. The Methodists accordingly, were
soon a sect that w as every where spoken against.
The objections were so many, and some of them
apparently so plausible, that Mr. Wesley thought
it his duty to defend himself and his proceedings
by writing and publishing answers to these objec-
tions. This he did especially in his " Appeals to
Men of Reason and Religion." Mr. Wesley
soon found himself involved in a great difficulty.
While the societies under his care were increasing
and multiplying, no Clergymen came forward to
his assistance. Some of them seemed to say,
** We wish thee oood luck in th^ name of the
Lord," but did not ofler to become his lellow-

INTRODUCTION. 47

labourei'S. And in not a few places, the clergy
were his greatest opposers. These circumstances
opened the way, and rendered absolutely neces-
sary the employment of lay-preachers. But let
us hear Mr. Wesley tell his own tale upon this
subject. " It pleased God," says he, " by two or
three ministers of the Church of England, to call
many sinners to repentance ; who, in several
parts, were undeniably turned from a cours^of sin
to a course of holiness."

" The ministers of the places where this was
done, ought to have received those ministers with
open arms ; and to have taken them who had just
begun to serve God, into their particular care ;
watching over them in tender love, lest they should
fall back into the snare of the devil.

" Instead of this, the greater part spoke of those
ministers, as if the devil, not God, had sent them.
Some repelled them from the Lord's table: others
stirred up the people against them, representing
them even in their public discourses, ix^fellorvs not
Jit to live : papists^ heretics, traitors j conspirators
against their king and country^

" And how did tliey watch over the sinners lately
reformed ? Even as a leopard watcheth over his
prey. They drove some of them from the Lord's
table ; to which, till now, they had no desire to ap-
proach. They preached all manner of evil concerning
them, openly cursing them in the name of the Lord.
They tm-ned many out of their work : persuaded
others to do so too, and harassed them in all man-
ner of ways."

" The event was, that some were wearied out,
and so turned back to the vomit again. And then
these good pastors gloried over them, and endea-
voured to shake others by their example.

" When the ministers, by whom God had helped
them before, came again to those places, great puit

48 INTRODUCTION.

of their work was to begin again ; if it could be be-
gun again : but the relapsers were often so harden-
ed in sin, that no impression could be made upon
them." " What could they do in a case of such
extreme necessity? where so many souls lay at
stake ?"

" No Clergyman would assist them at all. The
expedient that remained was, to find some one among
themselves who was upright of heai't, and of sound
judgment in the things of God : and to desire-him
to meet the rest as often as he could, in order to
confirm them, as he was ahle, in the ways of God,
either by reading to them, or by prayer, or by
exhortation."

Mr. Wesley felt the want of help especially in
Loudon. He appointed Mr. Thomas IMaxfield, to
meet the society at the usual times, to pray witli
them, and give them such advice as might be neces-
sary. And this young man, being not only truly
pious, but fervent inspirit, and mighty in the scrip-
tures, was very profitable to the people. They
crowded to hear him : and by the increase of their
number, as well as by their earnest and deej) atten-
tion, he was insensibly led to go further than he
did at first intend. He began to preach : and such
a blessing acccompanied his labours, that many
sinners were brought to true repentance, and were
afterwards filled with peace and joy in believing.
But some were offended at what they termed irre-
ffidarity, and wrote to inform Mi*. W esley, who in-
stantly hastened up to London, to crush the suppo-
sed evil in the bud. But when his mother, who
then lived in his house at the Foundery, saw
dissatisfaction depicted upon his countenance, she
looked attentively at him, and said, " John, you
know Mhat my sentiments have been. \on can-
not suspect me of favouring readily any thing of this
kind. But take care what you do with respect to

INTRODUCTION. 49

that young* man, for he is as surely called of God to
preach, as you are. Examine what have been the
fruits of his preaching : and hear him also your-
self." This timely and ekcellent advice he com-
plied with ; and after hearing him, his prejudice
so far bowed before irresistible evidence, that he
was constrained to say, " It is the Lord: let him
do 7vhat seemeth him goodJ'^

In sundry other places, he was assisted in the same
w^ay. But it was with reluctance that he accepted
of this help. His high church principles stood in
the way. But the effects produced were such, that
he was constrained to say, like Peter, Acts xi. 17,
" What was I, that I could withstand God ?"
Thomas Maxfield, therefore, was the father and
founder of lay-preaching, so called among the Me-
thodists. And whenever any of the preachers shall
be disposed to trace their ministerial pedigree to
its source, they must travel backward through an
uninterrupted succession up to Thomas Maxfield.
But if, when arrived there, they should be able to
throw away all prejudice, and popish and other
unscriptnral ideas, they may, perhaps, find them-
selves in better company than they suspected, even
the first Christian company in the world, Saul
of Tarsus, or Paul the Apostle, being of the
party.

The preaching of Thomas Maxfield was speedily
followed by that of the honest Yorkshireman,
John Nelson. He became a Methodist in London,
by his hearing Mr. Wesley ; and upon his return
to Birstall, near Leeds, his native place, he was
unintentionally, and unexpectedly, led to preach.
His relations and neighbours making enquiries
about what was called the New Faith, and about
the knowledge of Salvation through the remission of
sins, he told them, that it was the old faith of the
gospel ; and that as to a man's knowing his sins to
2. G

50 INTRODUCTION. ,

be forg;iv( n, he himself was as sure that his own
sins were forgiven, as he could be of the shining of
the sun. John Nelson while he thus became the iirst
fruits of Methodism in Yorkshire, he became also
the first Methodist Preacher who was a nMive of
that county.

I might have observed respecting" Mr. Maxfield^
tliat after he had preached some years, he was or-
dained by an Irish bishop. The bishop said, he
ordained hrm to help Mr. Wesley, ♦* lest that good
man should work himself to death." But after he
had preached more than twenty years in connexion
with Mr. Wesley, upon a warm dispute which
ag'itated the society, particularly in London, Mr.
Maxfield separated himself, and took away about
two hundred of the members of the society. And as
some of these were Mr. Wesley's most esteemed
friends, he felt acutely upon the occasion. Mr.
Maxfield got a commodious chapel, near Moor-
lields, in which he preached, and was useful, till
lie died suddenly of a stroke of the palsy. But
prior to this he again became very friendly with
Mr. Wesley and his people.

John Nelson's neighbours put him upon proving
his assertions respecting the doctrines of Metho-
dism and Christian Experience. And it was thus,
that he was unawares brought to quote, explain,
compare, and enforce several parts of the Holy
Scriptures. At first, he did this sitting in his
house, till the company became so large, that the
house would not contain those who crowded to hear
this new doctrine. He then stood at the door,
which he had occasion to do almost every evening
as soon as he came home from his work, which
was that of a stone-mason. O ye Yorkshire-
Methodists, w ho now number so many thousands,
here was your humble beginning, more than seventy
years ag^o !

INTRODUCTION. 5]

Mr. Wesley paid his first visit to Yorkshire and
Birstal, in May 1742, being invited thither by John
Nelson. John Nelson continued a pious man,
and a very useful preacher for about thirty years ;
and died very suddenly at Leeds, in July 1774.
His remains were carried through the streets of
Leeds, attended by thousands who were singing or
weeping, in the way to JBirstal. His friends put a
monumental stone over his body, to tell where he
lies, and to perpetuate his memory. But this has
been far better perpetuated by the fruits of his la-
bours, and the account which he published of the
iirst forty-two years of his life.

The first Methodist Society was formed in Lon-
don. But Methodism immediately took root in
Bristol, and the first building erected for a Metho-
dist preaching-house or chapel, was in Bristol.
The first stone of this was laid in May 1739, three
years before Mr. Wesley visited Yorkshire. And
it was in November 1739, that Mr. Wesley began
to preach in a building near Moorfields in London,
in which the King's cannon had formerly been cast,
and which, for many years after, this was known by
the name of The Foundry. This place continued
to be Mr. Wesley's chief place of worship for
thirty-eight years. The reader may perceive by
this, that the Methodists formerly were much more
humble with regard to their chapels, than what they
have been for some years past. Indeed, Mr. Wes-
ley cautioned them against building expensive
places of worship. He told them, that if they
erected costly preaching-houses, it would make
rich men necessary to them : and then, said he,
farewell the Methodist discipline, if not doctrine
too. But whethen- it is that rich men are become
less dangerous, or the Methodists are become more
willing to be governed by them, or that circum-
stances are essentially changed, I shall not attempt

52 INTRODUCTION.

to determine. The many grand and expensive
chapels, which now so loudly bespeak the present
state of Methodism, will not be without their in-
fluence, and that in more ways than one. Metho-
dism has stood its ground in adversity; it has pre-
served its purity in persecutions and distresses ; but
perhaps the time is near, if not already partly come,
when it will be tried how it will go with it in pros-
perity, popularity, and honour.

About tiTe same time, that a Society was formed .
in Bristol, another was formed among the colliers
of Kingswood, a rude, barbarous, and ungodly race
of men, about three miles from Bristol. And a
little before the time thatMethodism began in York-
shire, it had a very promising commencement at
and about Newcastle-upon-Tyne. There has
liardly ever been another instance in the history of
Methodism of so prosperous a beginning as that at
Newcastle. The Society swelled to eight hundred
members in a very short time. In most other places,
the number has been small at first, and then has
gradually increased. But at Newcastle, almost at
once, the number became larger than it ever was
at any subsequent period, except perhaps for some
few years last j>ast.

Methodism had an early introduction into most
of the northern Counties of England, and also into
Cornwall. Among the tin-miners in that coun-
ty, it has had a general and powerful influence.
Hardly in any other part does so large a pro-
portion of the population belong to the Methodist
Society as in Cornwall. And till lately, there
were very few Calvinistic or any other dissenters
there.

Class meetings were instituted among the Me-
thodists in 17;39;' but it does not appear that they
became properly organized and generally establish-
ed till the year 1742.

INTRODUCTION. 53

111 1743, the Kules of the Society were first pub-
lished.

In June, 1744, the first Conference was held.
The complexion of that assembly differed very
much from that of modern Conferences. The ma-
jority present were Clergymen of the Church of
England. There were six of these, and a smaller
iiumber of Lay-Preachers. Several Clergymen, it
appears, were friendly to Mr. Wesley, and seconded
his Zeal for promoting an evangelical reformation,
till he began to form Societies and to employ Lay-
Preachers. But then, as they thought these things
wore a disorderly aspect, and tended to promote a
dissent from the Church of England, they withdrew
all active co-operation. This laid him under an
absolute necessity of giving up the work begun,
except one or two Congregations, or of employing
hiymen to preach. His episcopalian and high
church principles were against this. But his zeal
for doing good, and the success which crowned their
labours, gradually reconciled him to a plan of pro-
pagating the Gospel, very contrary to his education,
^nd of which he had no previous design or concep-
tion. He pacified his scruples by considering the
'%vhole of Methodism, as something perfectly extra-
ordinary. He told his helpers, that they were to
consider themselves as Extraordinary Messenfjers,
that is, messengers out of the ordinary way, called
to awaken and reform the nation, and especially
the Church of England, and to spread scriptural
holiness over the land.

Here we might say a few words respecting the
prejudice of education and the force of habit. How
came it to pass, that a man of so much good sense,
and who professed, and 1 verily believe, professed
with the utmost sincerity, to make the Bible,
** the only rule, and the sufficient rule, both of
his faith and practice," should be so scrupulous

54 INTRODUCTION.

Upon a subject respecting* which the Bible is silent ?
The Bible lays no stress upon episcopal ordination,
or any other ordination, nor does it enjoin or sanc-
tion the idea of a classical education, as being essen-
tially requisite for every one who preaches the
Gospel. But perhaps it was too much to expect,
that a man who had spent above thirty years in
learning- and teaching languages and sciences^
should all at once get rid of every prejudice arising
from education and habit. But as he constantly
had recourse to the Bible for guidance and direc-
tion, we may say, that in due time he was guided
into all essential and necessary truth. That he was
open to conviction, and admired whatever bore the
«tamp of Christian simplicity, is apparent from a
paragraph in his Journal in 1736, when he was in
America. Speaking of the Moravians, he says, they
met to consult about the affairs of their Church :
Mr. Spangenberg being shortly to go to Pennsyl-
vania, and bishopNitschmans to return to Germany.
After several hours spent in conference and prayer,
they proceeded to the election and ordination of a
Bishop. The great simplicity and solemnity of tiie
whole, almost made me forget the seventeen hun-
dred years between, and imagine myself in one of
those assemblies, where form and state were not ;
but Paul the tent maker, or Peter the fisherman
presided; yet with the demonstration of the spirit
and of power."

And here may we not seasonably ask, whether
Methodism would have been any worse, or have
done any less good, if some few of the Preachers
had been ordained Bishops in a similar way, and
if all the rest of the preachers had been ordained to
the ministerial office, at the time of their being
received into full connexion. And here let it be
observed, that while the Methodist preachers in
Europe have remained unordained, though per-

INTRODUCTION. 54

forming' every branch of the office of the Christian
Ministry, those who have gone upon Foreign
Missions have been formally ordained prior to their
departure. And who ordained them ? Why, Dr.
Coke, though generally assisted by some Preachers of
weight and respectability. And when the ordination
was over, the Doctor gave those whom he had
ordained, letters of order, engrossed upon parchment,
signed by his hand, and sealed with his seal, in
which he styled himself " Bishop of the Methodist
Episcopal Church." In a future pait of this work
the reader may perhaps have a copy of these letters
of order. But what shall be done now? Dr. Coke
is dead. He had been consecrated a Bishop by
Mr. Wesley, in the year 1784, before he embarked
for America, to consecrate Mr. Asbury a Bishop,
and to form " The Methodist Episcopal Church" on
that vast continent. Mr. Wesley, I believe, conse-
crated some other persons Bishops besides Dr. Coke.
But I believe not more than one of these is now
living. And it is not possible, that he will become
on this account, a man of more importance than
any of his friends, or even himself, have hitherto
expected. Should a general ordination of the
preachers be determined upon, it will be highly
proper that he should take the lead. He ought to
consecrate some Bishops, and then, he and they
should proceed to ordain the preachers in general.
The reader may smile : but the writer assures him
that he is very serious while he writes this paragraph.
And he must observe, that whether the preachers
in general be ordained or not, those who go upon
Foreign Missions must, or they will be subject to
great inconveniences, and such as in some cases,
•will greatly obstruct, if not totally set aside, the
exercise of their ministry. The letters of order,
which Bishop Coke (for a Bishop he was) gave
the Missionaries wUo were from time to time sent

56 INTRODUCTION.

to the West Indies, were of essential and unspeak-
able service to them. And we learn from the letters
recently received from the IMissionaiies in the
Island of Ceylon, and v;hom Dr. Coke was con-
ducting" to India, when he was suddenly called to
another world, that when these Missionaries arrived
at the place of their destination, enquiry was made>
by high authority, " whether any, or all of them,
were in holy orders;" and upon their producing-
the certificates of their Ordination, sig-ned by Dr.
Coke, no objection was made, and their way waa^
fully opened.

Now as the description of Ordination is derived
from Mr. Wesley, who did believe himself to be as
duly authorized and proper a Bisliop as was in the
world ; as the Methodi^^ts especially will not feel
any disposition to call the validity of it in question ;
as it has been acted upon now for more than thirty
years, largely upon the continent of America, and
in a contracted way in Euiope ; and as persons
filling high official situations in the West Indies, in
the East Indies, and elsewhere, have paid a defer-
enceto it, equal to Avhat could have been expected
in favour of any form of Ordination ; and above all^
as the Bible has nothing to say against it, it ought
to receive general sanction without any further
investigation.

In one sense we may say, it is but a ceremony,
and does not touch the essence of either Christian
doctrine or discipline. However we shall have
occasion to enter more deeply into the subject, when
we arrive at the period when Dr. Coke was appointed
by Mr. Wesley to cross the Atlantic Ocean, and
form "The Methodist Episcopal Church" in
America.

When the Methodist Societies began so rapidly
to increase and multiply in England, and even in
Ireland, and some little Methodism was introduced

INTHODUCTICN. 57

into Scotland, it might naturally be expected that
adversaries and opposers would exert themselves.
If the seed of the woman, and the seed of the ser-
pent, still remained in existence, and* possessed
their ancient antipathy, we might naturally expect
to hear, that they who were after the flesh, would
persecute those who were after the spirit. The
laws of the British Empire, indeed, were not fa-
vourable to the spirit of persecution ; otherwise
there can be no doubt, that many of the Methodists
would have suffered very greatly both in their
persons and property : they would have been afflict-
ed, persecuted, and tormented : and would have
had to endure the spoiling of their goods, and not
a few of them the imprisonments of their persons.
To relate all the persecutions which the Methodists
have endured, notwithstanding the Act of Tolera-
tion, and the mild and humane government of the
House of Hanover, would fill a large volume,
A specimen may suffice.

This sect was every where spoken against : and
some seemed to think that if they were to kill a
Methodist, they would hereby do (rod service.

In February, 1750, a riotous and cruel persecu-
tion broke out in the city of Cork in Ireland. The
mob was headed by one Butler, a ballad singer,
who was secretly encouraged to abuse the Metho-
dists by some of the magistrates. The grand jury,
at the assizes, presented Mr. Charles- Wesley,
seven travelling preachers, and Mr. Sullivan, who
entertained the preachers, as persons of ill fame,
and prayed that they might be transported. But
the judge so well understood his office, as well as
the character of the chief witness, Butler, and
withal saw so clearly into the wickedness of the
whole transaction, that he discharged all the pri-
soners in the most honourable manner, and that
not without some indirect reproof of the magis-
2. H

68 INTRODUCTION.

trates, for not properly protecting the Metho-
dists.

But seven years prior to the persecution in
Cork, the most tremendous outrages had been
committed against the Methodists in several towns
only a few miles from Birmingham. AtWednes-
bury, Darlaston, and in the neighbourhood, a most
lawless and destructive mob, committed acts of
destruction and cruelty for several days together,
and were encouraged by the magistrates. Houses
were stripped of their furniture ; large quantities of
goods were carried away ; and feather-beds were
cut up, and the feathers strewed in the streets.
They broke open houses, pulled oif some of the
roofs, and destroyed many windows. Men, wo-
men with child, and even children, were knocked
down and abused with all the fury of the worst of
sava^^es. None of the neiohbourino- mao-istrates
wortld exert their authority, to quell the mobs, or
protect the Methodists. And when Mr. John
Wesley came into that neighbourhood, the mob of
Darlaston beset the house where he was, and cried,
** Bring out the minister." He went out, and said,
" Here I am, what do you want with me?' They re-
plied, " Togo with us to the justice." " Thatl will,
said he, with all my heart." So he walked before,
and two or three huiKl red of them followed after,
first to one justice, and then to another, but the
justices made excuses, and would not be seen.
Probably the principal reason of this was, they
were aware the mob had no just and well-founded
accusation against Mr. Wesley, and therefore a
hearing before a magistrate, must have procured
his release, and have dispersed the rioters. But
these unjust judges, these nominal justices, were
so lilled with the spirit of injustice, that thouirh
they ^ould not so torture the law as to touch Mr.
Wesley, yet they could encourage the mob to.

INTRODUCTlOxV. 59

to persecute him, under pretence of bringing- him
to justice, and then refuse to see him or them, that
his injuries might be prolonged.

When the Darlaston mob dispersed, he fell into tlie
hands of another, which came pouring down like a
flood from Walsal. These beasts of the people, drag-
ged him along, and when he attempted to go into a
house, they pulled him back by the hair of his head.
But such was the kind interference of a protecting
Providence, thatat length he was delivered outof the
mouths of tiiese lions, and with far less injury than
might have beenexpected. ThomasBeard and John
Nelson were pressed for soldiers; because they were
Methodists, and sundry other outrages and cruelties
were practised. And it is but just to remark, that all
persecution does not consist in acts of violence. A
man may be persecuted, by being slandered, de-
famed, and degradetl. And the Methodists here had
as large a portion of this sort of persecution, as per-
haps ever was the lot of any people upon earth.
But this treatment has ueither surprized nor dis-
mayed them. So far from this, that they havG
taken it as an evidence of their being the people of
God. They call to mind those words of Jesus
Christ, " Woe unto you when all men speak well of
you." And " Blessed are ye, when men revile,
and persecute, and say all manner of evil of you
falsely."

After passively enduring persecution for some
time, Sir John Ganson, Chairman of the Middlesex
Justices, waited on Mr. Wesley, in the name of his
brethren, to sav, that the Justices had orders from
the government, to do Mr. Wesley and his friends
justice, whenever they should apply; his Majesly
being determined, that no man in his dominions
should be persecuted for conscience' sake.

Tt was, indeed, become absolutely necessary that
something should be done to quell the increasiwg

60 INTRODUCTION.

tumults. Of the necessity of this, the very enemies
of the Methodists were very sensible. In Stafford-
shire, tlie mob turned upon their employers, and
threatened, that unless they would give them
money, they would treat them, as they had already
treated the Methodists.

The Methodists made repeated application for
protecting" justice to the Quarter Sessions and As-
sizes. At the Quarter Sessions they were frequently
dissappointed ; they had generally better success at
the Assizes -, and at the King's Bench they were
almost qjways triumphant. And by degrees it be-
came generally understood, that the Methodists had
a right to liberty and protection, the same as other
men, and also that they were determined to claim
their rights accordingly. However, a little before
Mr. Wesley's death, attempts were made in some
parts of England, to prosecute the Methodists
imder the Conventicle Act. But this was a mea-
sure so shocking to the candid and liberal part of
the public, that it was soon abandoned, and that
even by those whose spirit and principles, were the
most intolerant.

But such was the rapid increase of the Metho-
dists, and such the increasing jealousy and fear of
the high-church and Tory party in the nation, that
a few years ago, a plan was very deliberately and
systematically arranged, for suppressing Methodism
by Act of Parliament, and that with all the plausi-
bility of gentle, deceitful, studied forms, and lavish
professions of love of liberty and rdigion, and all
good things. The snare, however, was discovered,
before it was too late : and the trumpet being blown
in Zion, and a solemn alarm being sounded, prompt
and effectual measures were taken, and the religious
liberty which was intended to be curtailed, has
eventually greatly enlarged. So can God bring
good out of evil.

INTRODUCTION. 61

But we must go more deeply into this subject
when we come to speak of the active part which
Dr. Coke took in opposing the progress of Lorfi
Sidmoutlis Bill. That was a day of the trumpet
and alarm ; a day of clouds and thick darkness.
But I must not indulge in any further anticipation
upon this head. The reader shall have it in due
season.

From the commencement of the work, Mr. Wes-
ley and Methodism, met with other opposers, be-
sides mobs. Many of the Clergy employed their
pens in opposition to this alarming innovation.
Almost every thing that is evil was charged upon
Mr. Wesley. And had it not been for the deter-
mined firmness of King George the Second, against
persecution, Mr. Wesley would not have been
long permitted to travel over the nation to form,
instruct, and build up Societies. When the King
was urged to sanction coercive measures, he an-
swered *" No man shall be persecuted for his reli-
gion, while I sit upon the Throne of Britain."

Innumerable pamphlets were published against
these new ways, and especially against Mr. Wesley.
Some of these he did not think it worth his while
to take any notice of. But sundry othei-s received
a full and particular answer, as his works amply
testify. His "Appeals to Men of Reason and Reli-
gion" give a vjvy comprehensive view, both of the
opposition he had to contend with, and his dexterous
ability to defend himself and the cause to which he
was devoted. One of Mr. Wesley's biographers very
properly remarks, that " whoever wishes either to
vindicate or attack Methodism, should, by all means,
make himself master of this work." The first part
of this work is entitled " An earnest Appeal to Men
of Reason and Religion;" and tlie latter, *' A farther
Appeal to Men of Reason aud Religion." Hie
whole fills 280 octavo pages; and Mr. Wesley
finished writing it on the 18tb of December, 1715.

62 INTRODUCTION".

He prefixed for his motto, John vii. 51, Doth
our law judge any man before it hear him, and
know what he doth ?

Nothing" can give a fuller view of the confidence
which he had in his own integrity, and in the good-
ness of his cause, than the first paragraph. " Al-
though, says he, it is with us a very small thing to
be judged of you, or of man's judgment, seeing we
know God will make our iiinocency as clear as the
light, and our just dealing as the noon-day ; yet we
are ready to give any that are willing to hear, a
plain account both of our principles and actions: as
having renounced the hidden things of shame, and
desiring nothing more, than by manifestation of the
truth to commend ourselves to every man's con-
science in the sight of God."

I conceive that nothing can give the reader a
more accurate view of the motives and principles
of Mr. Wesley and the Methodists, than a few
more paragraphs out of the same publication.

" We see," says he, (and who does hot?) " the
numberless follies and miseries of our fellow crea-
tures. We see on every side, either men of no re-
gion at all, or men of a lifeless formal religion.
We are grieved at the sight, and should greatly
rejoice, if by any means we might convince some
that there is a better religion to be attained, a reli-
gion worthy of God that gave it. And this we
conceive to be no other than love ; the love of God
and of all mankind, the loving God with alt our
heart, and soul, and strength, as having first loved
us, as the fountain of all the good we have received,
and of all we ever hope to enjoy ; and the loving
every soul which God iiath made, every man on
earth, as our own soul."

" This love we believe to be the medicine of life,
the never-failing remedy, for all the evils of a dis-
ordered Morld, for all the miseries and vices of
men. Wherever this is, there are virtue and hap-

INTRODUCTION. 63

piness going hand in hand. There is humbleness
of mind, gentleness, long-suftering, the whole
image of God, and at the same time a peace that
passeth all understanding, and joy unspeakable and
full of glory.

*' Eternal sunshine of the spotless mind ;

Each prayer accepted, and each wish resign'd ;

Desires compos'd, aftection ever even,

Tear5 that delight, and sighs that waft to heaven,"

" This religion we long to see established in the
world, a religion of love, and joy, and peace, having
its seat in the heart, in the inmost soul, but ever
shewing itself, continually springing forth, not only
in all innocence, (for love worketh no ill to his
neighbour,) but likewise in every kind of bene-
ficence, spreading virtue and happiness all around
it."

This religion have we been following after for
many years, as many know, if they would testify :
but all this time, seeking wisdom we found it not ;
we were spending our strength in vain. And being
now under full conviction of this, we declare it to
all mankind : for we desire not that others should
wander out of the way, as we have done before
them ; but rather that they may profit by our loss,
that they may go, (though we did not, having no
man to guide us,) the straight way to the religion
of love, even by faith."

" Now faith (supposing the scripture to be of
God) is the denionstratiie evidence of things unseen^
the supernatural evidence of things invisible, not per-
ceivable by eyes of flesh, or by any of our natural
senses or faculties. Faith is that divine evidence,
whereby the spiritual man discerneth God and the
things of God. It is with regard to the spiritual
world, what sense is with regard to the natural. It
is the spiritual sensation of every soul that is born
©f God."

64 INTRODUCTION.

*' Perhaps you have not considered it in this
view ; I will then explain it a little further."

" Faith, according to the scriptural account, is
the eye of the new-born soul. Hereby every true
believer in God " seeth him who is invisible."
Hrreby (in a more particular manner, since life
and immortality have been brought to light by the
gospel) he " seeth the light of tlie glory of God in
the face of Jesus Christ;" and beholdeth what
manner of love it is, which the Father hath be-
stowed upon us, that we (who are born of the
s])irit) should be called the sons of God."

" It is the ear of the soul, w'hereby a sinner
" hears the voice of the Son of God and lives;"
even that voice which alone wakes the dead,
*' Son, thy sins are forgiven thee."

It is (if I may be allowed the expression) the
palate of the soul : for hereby a believer " tastes
the good word, and the powers of the world to
come ;" and hereby he both tastes and sees that
"God is gracious, yea, and merciful to him a
sinner."

" It is the feeling of the soul, whereby a believer
perceives, through " the power of the highest
overshadowing him," both the existence and pre-
sence of him, in whom " he lives, and moves, and
has his being ;" and indeed the whole invisible
world, the entire system of things eternal. And
hereby, in particular, he feels the love of God shed
abroad in his heart."

" By this faith we are saved from all uneasiness
of mind, from the anguish of a wounded spirit, frojn
discontent, from fear and sorrow of heart, and
from that inexpressible listlessness and weariness
both of the world and of ourselves which we had so
helplessly laboured under for many years, especially
when we were out of the hurry of the world, and
sunk into calm reflection. In this we iind that love

■ ^ iNTHODucTiois^ 65

of God, and of all mankind, which we had else-
where sought in vain. This, we know and feel,
and therefore cannot but declare, saves every one
that pai-takes of it both from sin and misery, and
from every unhappy and every unholy temper."

" Soft peace she brings, ■wherever she arrives,
Slie builds our quiet, as she tbrn)s our Hves ;
Lays the rough paths of peevisli nature eveu,
Aud opens in each breast a httle heaven."

Mr. Wesley adds, this faith is the free gift of
God, which he bestows, not on those w^ho are
worthy of his favour, not on such as are previ*
ously holy, and so fit to be crowned w ith all the
blessings of his goodness, but on the ungodly and
unholy; on those who, till that hour, were Jit
only for everlasting destruction; those, in whom
was no good thing, and whose only plea was
*' God be merciful to me a sinner." No merit,
no goodness in man, precedes the forgiving love
of God; his pardoning mercy supposes nothing
in us but a sense of mere sin and misery, and to
all w^ho see and feel and own their wants, and
their utter inability to remove them, God freely
gives faith, for the sake of him " in whom he is
always well pleased."

" This," adds he, " is a short rude sketch of the
doctrine w^e teach; these are our fundamental
principles; and we spend our lives in confirming
others herein, and in a behaviour suitable to them.''

After the above statement, Mr. Wesley was
])repared to ask even Deists, " \'\^hat is it that
you can here condemn ? What evil have we done
to yoti, that you should join the common crv
against us ? Why should yoit say, " away with
such fellows from the earth, it is not fit that they
should live ?"

After expostulating with Deists at some con-
siderable length, i^ee'ting them upon theii- own
3 I

66 INTRODUCTION^

ground, and fighting tliem witli their own wea-'
pons, in which great abiUty is displayed, he pro-
ceeds to address those who beheve the Holy
Scriptures, but who, nevertheless, do not take
u]Don them the character of religious men. These,
as well as the Deists, he considered himself obliged
to addi'ess as men of reason. And he begins by
asking, " Are you such indeed ?" that is men of
reason. " Do you answer the character under which
you appear ? If so, you are consistent with your-
selves ; your principles and your practice agree
together. Let us try whether this be so or not ?
Do you take the name of God in vain ? Do you
remember the sabbath-day, to keep it holy ? Do
you not speak evil of the niler of yom- people ?
Are you not a drunkard, or a glutton, faring as
siunptuously as you can every day, making a
God of your belly ? Do you not avenge your-
self? Are you not a whoremonger or adulterer?
Answer plainly to your own heart, before God,
the Judge of all."

" AVhy then do you say you believe the scrip-
tiu'e ? If the scripture be true you are lost: you
are in the broad way that leadeth to destruction:
your damnation slumbereth not; you are heaping
up to yourself wrath against the day of wrath,
and the revelation of the righteous judgment of
God. Doubtless, if the scripture be true, (and
you remain thus) it had been good for you if you
liad never been born."

'• How is it that you call yourselves men of
reason? Is reason inconsistent with itself ? You
are the farthest of all men under the sun fi-om any
pretence to that character : a common swearer, a
-sabbath breaker, a whoremonger, a di'unkard,
who says he beheves the scripture is of God, is a
monster upon earth, the greatest contradiction to
his own, as well as the reason of all mankind. In

INTRODUCTION. 6?

the name of God, (that worthy name whereby
you are called, and which you daily cause to be
blasphemed) turn either to the right hand or to
the left-, either profess you are an infidel, or be a
christian. Halt no longer thus between two
opinions ; either cast off the bible or your sins;
and, in the meantime, if you have any spark of
your boasted reason left, do not count us your
enemies, (as I fear you have done hitherto, and
as thousands do wherever we have declared, ^' they
that do such things shall not inherit eternal life,")
because we tell yon the truth : seeing these are not
our words, but the words of him that sent us.
Yea, though in doing this we use great plain7iess
of speech, as becomes the ministry we have re-
ceived: for we are not as many who corrupt or
soften, and thereby adulterate the word, of God;
but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of
God, speak we iii Christ."

But it may be you are none of these, you
abstain from all such things; you have an unspot-
ted reputation, you are a man of honour, or a
woman of virtue ; you scorn to do an unhandsome
thing, and are of an unblameable life and conver-
sation; you are harmless, {if I understand you
right) and noseless from morning to night; you do
no hurt, and no good to any one, no more than a
straw floating upon the water; yoiu* life ghdes
smoothly on from year to year, and from one
season to another ; having no occasion to work,

" You waste away
In g-eotle inactivity tlie day."

*' I will not now shock the easiness of your
temper by talking about a future state, but suffer
me to ask you a question about present things-^
Are you now happy ? I have seen a large com-
paiiy of reasonable creatures called Indians, sit-

68 INTRODUCTION.

ting in a row on the side of a river, looking
sometimes at one another, sometimes at the sky,
and sometimes at the bubble on the water; and so
they sat, (unless in the time of war) for sl great
part of the year, from morning to night. These
were doubtless much at ease, but can you think -
they were happy? And how little happier are
you than they ; you eat, and di'ink, and sleep, and
di'ess, and dance, and sit down to play: you are
carried abroad; you are at the masquerade, the
theatre, the opera-house, the park, the levee, the
drawing-room, what do you do there? Why
sometimes you talk, sometimes you look at one
another, and what are you to do to morrow ? The
next day ? The next week ? The next year ?
You are to eat, and drink, and sleep, and dress,
and dance, and play again, and you are to be
carried abroad again that you may look at one
another ! And is this all ? Alas ! how little more
happiness have you in this, than the Indians in
looking at the sky or water! Ah! poor dull
round— yet it is certain there is business to be
done, ^nd many we find, in all places, (not to
speak of the yulgarj the drudges of the earth,)
who are continually employed therein. Are you
of that number ? Are you engaged in trade, or
some other reputable employment? I suppose
profitably tpo ; for you would not spend your time,
and labour, and thought, for nothing. You are
then making your fortune ; you are getting
money. — True, but money is not your ultimate
end: tlie treasuring up gold and silver, for its own
sake, all men own is as foolish and absurd, as
grossly unreasonable, as the treasuring up spiders,
or the -vyings of butterflies. You consider this but
as a means of some further end, and what is that ?
Why, the enjoying ycmrself. the being at ease,
^he takbi^ your pleasure, the living Hke a ^en-

INTRODUCTION. 69

tleman. Are you, can you, or any reasonable
man, be satisfied with this ? You are not, it is
not possible you should. But what else can you
do? You would have something better to em-
ploy your time, but you know not where to find
it upon earth. How can you employ the time
that lies so heavy upon your hands ? This very
thing which you seek declare we unto you: the
thing yoU want is the religion ive preach — this
religion, which alone is of value before God, is
the very thing you want. You want (and in
wanting this you want all) the religion of love :
you do not love your neighbour as yourself, any
more than you love God with all your heart: you
know you are not happy : you have the form of
godliness, but not the power — you are a mere
whited wall — your inward parts are very wicked-
ness— you love " the creature more than the Cre-
ator"— you are " a lover of pleasure more than a
lover of God."

" You are on the brink of fne pit, ready to be
plunged into everlasting burn^aigs! O how ter-
ribly have you been deceived : posting to hell, and
fancying it was heaven ! See, at length, that
outward religion without in ward is nothing, is
far worse than nothing, being, indeed, no other
than a solemn mockery of Gcd; and inward reli-
gion you have not; you hav(3 not the faith tliat
worketh by love: so far fromi it, that this faith is
the very thing which you ca 11 enthusiasm. You
are not content with being v> ithout it imless you
blaspheme it too. You even revile that life whieh
is hid with Christ in God; all seeing, tasting,
hearing, feeling of God. Mj st^uf is distressed
for you; " the god of this world hath blinded
your eyes," and you are " seeking death in tlie
^rror of your life."

J must apologize to the reader i or the great

70 INTRODUCTION.

length of this extract; but I thought the pas-
sage so very interesting and excellent, so very
much to the point, and so truly characteristic of
JNIr. Wesley's writing and preaching, that I hardly
knew where to stop: and I sometimes thought,
how do I know but that my book may some time
fall into the hands of some person to whom Mr,
Wesley's words will fitly apply ; while God may
apply them with saving and lasting effect to the
heart of such a person. They were such ideas
and feelings as these that gave energy and activity
to Mr. Wesley through a long and very laborious
life, yea for forty-five years after he wrote the
appeals which I am now reviewing.

And these were also the views and feelings of
Dr. Coke, who labovired in connection with Mr.
AVesley, during the last fourteen years of Mr.
Wesley's life, and who continued in some respects,
in a measvu-e, the life and soul of the Methodist
Connexion for more than twenty -three years ^fter
the death of its founder.

In the " Appeals to Men of Reason and Reli-
gion," Mr. Wesley takes up and answers the
several objections made to him and Methodism,
beginning with perfection. To the objection upon
this head he gives a scriptural answer and explan-
ation, appealing to Rom. vi. 1, 2. — 1 Pet. iv. 1, 2.
— 1 John, iii. 8.-v. 18. — 2 Cor. x. 5. — 1 Pet. i. 15.

He next explains and defends the doctrine of
Assurance, that is, an assurance of the love of
God to our souls, of his being now reconciled to
us, and of his having forgiven all our sins. And
he does most trimiiphantly overturn the objection
that preaching the doctrine of justification by
faith tends to encourage men to sin.

He then encounters another objection, namely,
that he and his helpers made rehgion a cloak for
covetousness. He begins his answer to this charge

INTRODUCTION. 71

by asking — Have you never heard the fifth
chapter of Matthew ? What is written there?
How readest thou ? " Blessed are ye, when men
shall revile you, and persecute you, and say all
manner of evil of you, falsely, for my name's
sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad, for great
is your reward in heaven ; for so persecuted they
the prophets that were before you;" namely, by
reviling them, and saying all manner of evil of
them falsely. For our Lord's sake, and for the
sake of his Gospel, which we preach, men do
revile and persecute us, and say all manner of evil
of us falsely. And how can it be otherwise ?
The disciple is not above his master. It is enough
for the disciple if he be as his master, and the
servant as his Lord. If they have called the
master of the house Beelzebub, how much more
shall they call them of his household." He adds,
" This only we confess, that we preach hrocard
salvation now attainable by faith; and for 'preach-
ing this, (for no other crime was then so much as
pretended,) we were forbid to preach any more in
those churches, where, till then, we were gladly
received. — This is a notorious fact. Being thus
hindered from preaching in the places we should
first have chosen, we now declare the " grace of
God M^hich bringeth salvation" in all places of his
dominion; as well knowing that God " dweUeth
not in temples made with hands." This is the
real, and it is the only real ground of complaint
against us. Nor dare we refrain. — A dispensation
of the gospel is committed to me, and " woe is
rue if I preach not the gospel." Here we allow
the fact, but deny the guilt."

Some asserted that they were papists. To tliis
ISIr. Wesley answers — " This is such a charge,
that I dare not waste my time in industriously
confuting it." Certainly no charge could have

72 INTRODUCTION.

been more flatly and completely false; yet, even a
Bishop (I^avington) attempted to make a com-
parison between the Methodists and Baptists.
Mr. Wesley then notices the charge of under-
mining, if not openly destroying the church.
But, he asks " What do you mean by the church?
A visible church, as the article defines it, is a
company o^ faithful or helieving people. This is
the essence of a cnurch, and the properties thereof
are, (as they are described in the words that fol-
low) " that the pure word of God be preached
therein, and the sacraments duly administered."
Now then, says he, (according to this authentic
account) what is the church of England f AVhat
is it, indeed, but the faithful people^ the true
believers of England? It is true, if they are
scattered abroad they come under another consider-
ation ; but when they are visibly joined by assem-
bling together to hear the pure word of God
preached, and to eat of one bread, and drink of
one cup, they are then properly the visible church
of England." Mr. Wesley denies, and indeed
very justly, that according to this definition, he
and his helpers undermined or destroyed the
church. But it is but candid and fair to observe,
that this idea of the church was not the idea of
the objectors to Methodism: they meant the
church as an estahlishment. Yet, in their sense,
Mr. Wesley had no desire either to destroy or
undermine the church. It was his leading wish to
keep close to the church, and when he in any
measure deviated, it was with reluctance and cau-^
tion. But I must remark further, that they give
an unfair representation of him, who accuse him
of quibbling and equivocation in his latter days»
when, in order to vindicate his proceedings respect-
in o- service in church-hours, kc. he had recourse ta
the above definition of the chiu-ch. They speak

INTRODTJCTIOIS^ 73

of it as if it had been some new idea wliich lie
then started, in order to justify the innovations;
whereas it was an idea wliich he brought forward
in the fost days of Methodism, and long before
these innovations took place.

He then goes on to remark upon the charge,
that " gain was the true spring of all their actions ;
and that he, in particular, was well paid for his
work, having £1300 a year from the foundry
alone, besides what he received from Bristol^
Kingswood, and Newcastle ; and that his survivors
would see he had made a good use of his time, for
he would not die a beffffar."

In answer to this, he appeals to all who had
known him for the last twelve or fourteen years
preceding, at Oxford, Epworth, in America, or
elsewhere; and asks them, if they had ever seen
in him any thing like the love of gain? And
whether he did not continually and practically
remember " It is more blessed to give, than to
7'eceive f" He then explains to them how the
monies were disposed of which were raised in the
societies, and shews that he had gained nothing,
but rather was some hundi-ed of pounds in debt,
" But," says he, " had there been some gain, for
what gain will you be obhged to live as I do ? To
preach 18 or 19 times every week, and that
throughout the year: and to travel se^^en or eiglit
hundred miles, in all weathers, every two or three
months."

His motto to the first part of his " Farther
Appeal to Men of Reason and Rehgion," is, " Let
the righteous smite me friendly and reprove me."
Ps. cxli. 5.

He sets out by saying ^ In a former treatise I

declared, in the plainest manner I could, botli my

principles and practice; and answered some of tlie

most import, as well as the most common objec-

S, K

74" INTRODUCTION.

tions to eacli. But I iiave Hot yet delivered my
own soul. I believe it is still incumbent upon me
to answei" some otlier objectioiis, particularly such
as have been urged by those who are religious or
reasonable men. Tliese relate partly to the doc-
trines I teach, partly to my manner of teaching
them, and partly to the effects which are supposed
to follow from teaching these doctrines in this
manner."

He begins with explaining justification. " It
sometimes means," says he, " our acquittal at the
last day. Mat. xii. 37. But this is altogether out
of the present qnestion, that jnstification, whereof
our articles and homilies speak, meaning present
forgiveness, pardon of sins, and consequently
acceptance, with God," llom. iii. 25. " I believe,"
says he, *' the condition of this is faith; I mean.,
not only that without faith we cannot be justified,
but also, that as soon as any one has true faith,
in that moment he is justified," Rom. iv. 5, (Sec.
" Good works," he observes, " follow this faith,
but cannot go before it; much less can sanctifica-
tion, which implies a continued course of good
works, springing from holiness of heart. But it
is allowed that entire sanctification goes before our
justification at the last day, Heb. xii. 14. It is
allowed also, that repentance, and fruits meet for
repentance, go before faith: repentance absolutely
must go before faith, and fruits meet for it if there
be opportunity. By repentance, I mean convic-
tion of sin, producing real desires and sincere
resolutions of amendment: and by fi-uits meet for
repentance, forgiving our brother, ceasing to do
evil, doing good, using the ordinances of God,
and in general obeying him according to the mea-
sure of grace which we have received. But these
I cannot, as yet, term good xicorks, because they
do not spring fi'om faith and the love of God."

INTRODUCTIOK. 7o

" By salvation," says he, " I mean, not barely,
according to the vulgar notion, deliverance from
hell, or going to heaven ; but a present deliver-
ance from sin, a restoration of the soul to its
primitive health, its original purity; a recovery of
the divine nature ; the renewal of om* souls after
the image of God, in righteousness and true holi-
ness, in justice, mercy, and truth. This imphes
all holy and heavenly tempers, and by consequence
all holiness of conversation."

" Now," he adds, " if by salvation we mean a
present salvation fi*om sin, w^e cannot say holiness
is the condition of it, for it is the thing itself.
Salvation, in this sense, and holiness, are synoni-
mous terms. We must, therefore, say, " we are
saved by faith." Faith is the sole condition of this
salvation." JNIr. Wesley adds, " without faith we
cannot be thus saved ; for we cannot rightly serve
God unless we love him, and we cannot love him
unless we know him; neither can we know God
unless by faith. Therefore salvation by faith is
only, in other words, the love of God by the
knowledge of God, or the recovery of the image
of God by a true spiritual acquaintance with him."

" Faith, in general," he observes, " is a divine
supernatural evidence, or conviction of things not
seen, not discoverable by our bodily senses, as
being either past, future, or spiritual. Justifying
faith implies, not only a divine evidence, or con-
viction, that God was in Christ " reconciling the
world unto himself," but a sure trust and confi-
dence that Christ died for my sins, that he loved
me, and gave himself for me. And the moment
a penitent sinner believes this, God pardons and
absolves him: and as soon as his pardon or justifi-
cation is witnessed to him by the Holy Ghost, he
is saved: he loves God and all mankind; he lias
ike mind that was in Christ, and has power to

76 INTRODUCTION^.

ii:alk as Christ also xvalked. From tliat time,
unless he make shipwreck of the faith, salvation
gradually increases in his soul."

" The author of faith and salvation is God
alone: it is he that works in us both to will and
to do: he is the sole giver of every good gift, and
the sole author of every good work. Although
no man can explain the particular manner where-
in the spirit of God works on the soul, yet whoso-
iever has these fruits, cannot but know and feel
that God has wrought them in his heart."

" Sometimes he acts more particularly on the
understanding, opening or enlightening it, (as the
scripture speaks,) and revealing, unveiling, dis-
covering to us the deep things of God.''

" Sometimes he acts on the wills and affections
of men, withdrawing them from evil, inclining
them to good, inspiring (breathing, as it were)
good thoughts into them : so it has frequently been
expressed, by an easy natural metaphor, analogous
to spiritus^ and the words used in most modern
tono'ues also to denote the Tliird Person in the ever
Blessed Trinity."

I have been the larger in this quotation, not
only on account of its excellency, but as it gives
such a clear and full view of the doctrines of
Methodism, the doctrine so long and successfully
preached by Mr. Wesley, and also by Dr. Coke.
And the insertion of so much on doctrines in this
part, will render it the less necessary to say mucli
upon them when we come to speak more immedi-
ately of the Doctor.

Having thus stated his doctrines, INIr. Wesley
proceeds to defend them against the objections
made to them. To the assertion that " sanctifi-
cation must be before justification," which some
endeavoured. to prove from ]Mat. xxviii. 19, 20.
3Iark xvi. 16. Luke xxiv. 47. 1 Cor. vi. 11.

INTRODUCTION. 77

Heb. VI. 1. he answers, " All the scriptures that
ean be quoted to prove sanctification antecedent to
justification, if they do not relate to our final
justification, prove only, that repentance, and
fruits meet for repentance, precede that faith
whereby we are justified."

One of his opponents having asserted, that
justification by faith alone, is not the doctrine of
the church of England, he answers : " In order to
be fully satisfied what the doctrine of the church
of England is, as it stands opposed to the doctrine
of the Antinomians, on the one hand, and to that
of justification by Avorks on the other ; I vv ill set
down what occurs on this head either in her
liturgy, articles, or homilies." He then makes
sundry quotations accordingly, and adds, " From
the Avhole tenor, then, of her liturgy, articles, and
homilies, the doctrine of the church of England
appears to be this — 1. That no good work, pro-
perly speaking, can go before justification. 2. That
no degree of sanctification can be previous to it.
3- That as the meritorious cause of justification is
the life and death of Christ, so the condition of
it is faith, faith alone; aiid 4. That both inward
and outward holiness are consequent on this faith,
and are the ordinary stated condition of final
justification."

After turning aside to answer sundry objections
which one of the Bishops had published, he
answers an objection to j?6'/r/-preaching. The
objector had said " field-preaching is worse than
no preaching at all, because it is illegal." INIr.
Wesley answered, the preaching of all the primitive
christians was contrary to the whole tenor of the
Roman laws; the worship of their devil-gods
being established by the strongest laws then in
being: and he denied, however, that jield-pr each -
hig was contrary to the laws of England. He

78 INTRODUCTION.

argued, that though neither the preachers nor
their places of worship were hcensed, because, he
said, they did not dissent from the church of
England, and that the Act of Toleration \^^as
made for none but Dissenters ; he certainly
thought that he stood upon sure ground : but had
the business been looked into at that time, with
such keen eyes as it was about the time that Lord
Sidmouth brought forward his memorable Bill,
Mr. Wesley and his friends might either have
taken refuge under the Act of Toleration, as
Dissenters, or the progress of Methodism must
have come to an end. — Nay, had they pleaded
that Act, it would not have protected them, had
it been interpreted as it was by the Lord Chief
Justice, and others, after the failure of Lord
Sidmouth's Bill. It was well that the opposers
of Methodism never found out the method of
effectual opposition till the Methodists and their
friends were numerous, and strong enough to
make an impression upon the legislatiu'e of the
country, and so turn the attempts of their adver-
saries to their own advantage, by getting their
liberties enlarged when it was attempted to abridge
them. — This was the Lord's doing, and marvel-
lous in our eyes; and when we come to give the
history of that period, we shall have to remark
that Dr. Coke had a very active share in procuring
the new Act of Toleration, though he had many
coadjutors. The objector urged not only the
illegality of field-preaching, but also the danger
attending it, as to the public safety. " All peo-
ple," said the objector, " may come and carry on
what designs they will." Mr. Wesley answers,
*' Not so ; all field-preaching is in the open day,
and were only ten persons to come to such an
assembly with arms, it would soon be inquired
witli what design they came. This is, therefore.

INTRODUCTION. 79

no great opportunity put into the hands of sedi-
tious persons to raise disturbances."

Another objection urged was, " That Mr.
Wesley, and his preachers, made men idle." To
this JMr. Wesley made the following reply: —
*' This objection having been continually urged
for some years, I will trace it from the foundation.
Two or three years after my return from America,
one Captain llobert Williams, of Bristol, made
affidavit before the then mayor of the city, that
*' it was a common report in Georgia, that Mr.
Wesley took people off from their work, and
made them idle by preaching so much." The fact
stood thus: — at my first coming to Savannah, the
generaUty of the people rose at seven or eight in
the morning, and that part of them who were
accustomed to work, usually worked till six in the
evening; a few of them sometimes worked till
seven, which is the time of sun-set there at Mid-
summer. The morning service began at five, and
ended at or before six; the evening service began
at seven. Now supposing all the grown persons
in the town had been present every morning and
evening, would this have made them idle? Would
they hereby have had less, or consideral'y more
time for working?" " The sani? lule I follow
now, both at London, Bristol, and Newcastle-
upon-Tyne, concluding the service at every place,
winter and summer, before six in the morning;
and not ordinarily beginning to preach till near
seven in the evening. Now do you, who make
this objection, work longer, tlirough the year,
than from six to six? Do you desire that the
generality of people should? Or can you count
them idle that work so long? Some few, indeed,
are accustomed to work longer: these I advise not
to come on week days."

A more serious objection was, " You make the

80 INTRODUCTION.

people mad." Mr. Wesley answered, " This
objection being of the utmost importance, deserves
our deepest consideration. And first, I grant it
is my earnest desire to drive all the world into
what you probably call madness; I mean inward
religion, to make them just as mad as Paul was
when he was so accounted by Festus : the count-
ing all tilings on earth but dung and di'oss, so
we may win Christ; the trampling vmder foot all
the pleasures of the world, the seeking no trea-
sure but in heaven, the having no desire of the
praise of men, a good character, a fair reputation j
the being exceedingly glad when men revile and
persecute us, and say all manner of evil against
vis falsely ; the giving God thanks when our father
or mother forsake us, when we have neither food
to eat, nor raiment to put on, nor a friend but
what shoots out bitter words, nor a place Avhere to
lay our heads. This is utter distraction in your
account, but in God's it is sober, rational religion ;
the genuine fruit, not of a distempered brain, not
of a sickly imagination, but of the power of God
in the heart, of victorious love, and of a sound
mind." He also admitted, that sometimes, while
the word of God was preached, some persons
dropped down as if dead, some were as if in
strong convulsions, some roared aloud, though
not with an articulate voice, and some expressed
the anguish of their souls. Some of these trembled
and quaked, and were filled with sorrow and
heaviness, and so wept, lamented, and mourned,
that it was no wonder that some should think
them mad. But, Mr. Wesley says, this is easily
accounted for on the principles of both reason
and scripture.

He admits, however, that touches of extrava-
gance, bordering on madness, may sometimes
attend severe conviction: fear or giief, from a

INTRODUCTION. SI

temporal cause, may occasion a fever, and thereby
a delirium. " It is not strange, then," says he,
*' that some, while under strong impressions of
grief or fear, from a sense of the wrath of God,
^should for a season forget all things else, and scarce
be able to answer a common question: that some
should fancy they see the flames of hell, or the
devil and his angels around them: or, that others,
for a time, should be afraid, like Cain, that who-
soever meeteih them will siay them.

" Lastly," says he, " I have seen one instance
of real madness. Two or three years since, I took
a persoii with me to Bristol, who was under deep
convictions; but of as sound an understanding, in
all respects, as ever he had been in his life. I went
a short journey, and when I came to Bristol again'
found him really distracted. I enquued particu-
larly at what time and place, and iu what manner
tJiis disorder began? And I believe tliere are, at
least, thi^e ^core witnesses alive and ready to
testify what follows. When I went from Bristol,
be contracted an acquaintance with some persons,
who were not of the same judgment with me.
He was soon prejudiced against me. Quickly
after, when our society were met together m.
Kings-wood house, he began a vehement invective
both against my person and doctrines. In the
midst of this lie was struck raving mad. And
so he continued till his friends put him into Bed-
lam." -Soinetuues also, Mr. AVesley observes^
when persons have been under strong eonviction
for sin, their frieads have opposed them and forced
their consciences, till they have gone «tark mad.
*' But then," says he, " pray do iwt impute that
madness to me. Had you left them to my di-
rection, or rather to the direction of the Spirit of
■God, they would have been filled with love aruj
Si sound mind. But you have taken the matter
3. L

82 INTRODUCTION.

Out of God's hand. And now you have brought
it to a fair conchision !"

In the Second Part of the " Farther Appeal
to men of Keason and Religion," he begins with
earnestly soliciting a fair hearing. He \ chiefly
addresses those who beUeve the scriptures, and
fu*st states the account which tlie Bible gives of
the moral character of God's ancient people, the
Jews; and then appeals to all professing christians,
how far, in each instance, the parallel holds, and
how much the Enghsh were better than the Jews ?

Soon after the Jews were delivered out of
Egypt, he observes, they murmured against God;
afterwards they did not like to retain God in all
their thoughts; they forsook his ordinances; they
were guilty of vain oaths, perjury, and blasphemy;
they profaned his sabbaths; they provoked God,
by drunkenness, sloth, and luxury; they were
also guilty of lewdness, injustice, lying, and mward
corruptions; also pride, covetousness, hypocrisy,,
carelessness, and hardness of heart. And, he ob-
serves, the priests were wicked like the people.
He then proceeds to .hew, how the sins of Eng-
land resemble those of the Jews, in almost every
respect. He remarks especially, how, by reason
of swearing, the land mourneth ; not only by com-
mon swearing, but by oaths of office ; by justices
of the peace, when taken into the commission;
by grand jurieg; by constables; by churchward-
ens; by captains of ships, every time they return
from a trading voyage ; by all custom-house offi-
cers; and by voters for members of parliament.
He descants also pretty largely upon the sabbath-
breaking, dinmkenness, luxury, and injustice of
many of the inhabitants of England, without over-
looking their proneness to' lying, their pride, and
other abominations. And he lays the rod upon
the clergy with great but deserved seveiity.

INTRODUCTION. 83

Having delivered his whole soul in addressing
church people, and the clergy of the Established
Church, he next addresses the Presbyterians and
Independants. He allows that many of these
had the root of the matter within them. But
he asks them if there were no gross sinners among
them; if they enjoyed true experimental reli-
gion, &c. He then addresses the Baptists, who,
at that time, were but few in number. He asks
them whether unholy men are not suffered to
remain among them, and whether some of them
do not unawares put opinion in the room of faith
and repentance. He then gives the Quakers their
portion of meat in due season. He expostulates
with them about their plain language and dress,
and asks them, whether, with all their pretended
plainness of speech, they never flatter, or disr
semble, and whether they speak to all descriptions
of persons just as they think, and' that in the
shortest and clearest manner? *' If not," says he,
*' what a mere jest is your plain language! You
carry your condemnation in your own breast.'*
And as to plainness of dress, he asks them whe-
ther they be consistent with themselves and the
bible? The apostle, speaking of women, says, let
their adorning be not gold nor costly apparel,
but a meek and quiet spirit Mr. Wesley asks,
do not many of your women wear gold upon
their very feet; And do not many of your men
use ornaments of gold; Their canes and snuff-
boxes, says he, glitter even in your solemn as-
semblies, while ye are waiting together upon
God. He tells them, they cannot but observe,
"upon cool reflection, that they retain just as much
of their ancient practice, as leaves their present
"Without excuse, as makes the contrast glaring and
undeniable.

He next expostulates with them about their

M iNTRODUCTIOI^.

doctrine of the Inward Principle, and being led
by the Spirit.

He has next a word for the Roman CathoHcs.
He observes that they frequently contend, and
with great earnestness, that every christian is
called upon to be zealous of good works, as
well as to deny himself, and take up his cross
daily. How then, says he, do you depart from
your own principles, when you are gluttons, drunk-
ards, or epicures? AVhen you live at your ease in
all the elegance and voluptuousness of a plentiful
fortune? How will you reconcile the being
adorned with gold, arrayed in purple and fine
linen, and faring sumptuously every day, with
the denying yourselves and taking up your cross
daily? Neither can this self-indulgence be recon-
ciled with being zealous of good works; for by
this needless and continual expense you disable
yourselves from doing good. — You bind your own
hands; you make it impossible for you to do the
good which otherwise you might*

He then addresses himself to the Jews, and
asks them how far they act consistently with their
own principles, and especially whether they keep
the first and great commandment?

He next bestows a few paragraphs upon Deists.
He reasons with these, especially about their fruit-
less search after happiness. He tells them, they
remain vmhappy, because they seek happiness
where it cannot be found. He says, they arc
miserable because they are sinful.

He commences the T/iird Pa ft of the" Farther
Appeal to Men of Reason and Religion," by ask-
ing, " What can an impartial person think con-
cerning the present state of religion in England?"
[The time he wrote this was in 1745.] " What
species of vice," says he, " can possibly be named,
even of that which nature itself abhors, of which

INTRODUCTION. 85

we have not had, for many years, a plentiful and
still increasino" harvest? Such a complication of
villanies of all sorts, considered with all their
aggravations; snch a scorn of whatever bears the
face of virtue; such injustice, fraud, and false-
hood; above all, such perjury, and such a method
of law, we may defy the whole world to produce."
Here is a strong and bold charge against the in-
habitants of England.

*' Just," says he, " at this time, when we wanted
little of filling up the measure of our iniquities,
two or three clergymen of the church of England
began vehemently to call sinners to repentance.
In two or three years they had sounded the alarm
to the utmost borders of the land: many thou-
sands gathered together to hear them, and in every
place where they came, many began to shew such a
concern for religion as they never had done before :
a stronger imp7'ession was made on their minds of
the importance of things eternal, and they had
more earnest desires of serving God than they
had ever had from their earliest childhood." " The
grace of God," says he, " which bringeth salvation,
present salvation, from inward and outward sin,
hath abounded of late years in such a degree, as
neither we nor our fore-fathers had known. How
extensive is the change which has been wrought
on the minds and lives of the people! Know ye
not that the sound is gone forth into all the land ?
That there is scarcely a city or considerable town
to be found where some have not been roused out
of the sleep of death, and constrained to cry out,
" What must I do to be saved ?" That this reH-
gious concern has spread to every age and sex;
to most orders and degrees of men? To abundance
of those in particular, who in time ])ast, were
accounted monst-ers of wickedness, drinking in
iniquity Uke water, and committing all uncleanness
with greediness,"

68 INTRODUCTION.

" In what age," continues Mr. Wesley, " has
such a work been wrought, considering the swifl-
ness as well as the extent of it? When have such
nu7nhers of sinners, in so short a time, been reco-
vered from the error of their ways? When hath
religion, I will not say since the Reformation^
but since the time of Constantine the Great,
made so large a progress in any nation, within
so small a space? I believe hardly can either
ancient or modern history supply us with a paral-
lel instance."

And we must add, if Mr. Wesley could write
thus so early as 1745, what might he not have
said at subsequent periods? Methodism so ra-
pidly increased, that both preachers and people
were, I believe, four times as many, when Dr.
Coke joined Mr. Wesley in the year 1777, as
when Mr. Wesley wrote the above paragraph.
And they are now more than four times the num-
ber they were when the Doctor cast in his lot
among them. And if they continue to increase
and multiply in proportion as they have done, it
cannot be many ages before they will replenish
or fill the earth. But more of this afterwards.
]Mr. Wesley contended also, that this great work,
which had been wrought so extensively and
swiftly, was not a superficial, bat a deep work ;
that it was also remarkable for its purity, being
free from superstition, heresy, enthusiasm, bigotry,
vice, or ungodliness, bitter zeal, and a persecuting
disposition. He meant, I presume, that it ex-
celled in these respects, though he might not
mean to say, that every Methodist was quite un-
blameable and immaculate in these particulars.

Mr. Wesley encounters another objection made
to him and his helpers: namely, tJw smallness
of their nujnber, and their xvant of learning.
As to their fewness, he asks, " because they are

INTRODUCTION. S7

few, cannot God work by them? Why cannot
God save ten thousand souls by one man, as
well as by ten thousand ? How little, how in-
considerable a circumstance is number before
God? and the fewer they are, by whom this
large harvest hath hitherto been gathered in, the
more evident must it appear to unprejudiced
minds, that the work is not of man but of God.

As to their being unlearned, he says, " this
is partly true. Some of those who now preach
are unlearned. They neither understand the
ancient languages, nor any of the branches of
philosophy; and yet this objection might have
been spared by many of those who frequently
made it; because they are unlearned too, though
accounted otherwise. They have not themselves
the very thing they require in others, Men in
general are under a great mistake with regard
to what is called, " The learned World." They
do not know, they cannot easily imagine, how
little learning there is among them; I do not
speak of abstruse learning, but of what all Di-
vines, at least of any note, are supposed to have,
namely, the knowledge of the Tongues, at least
Latin, Greek, Hebrew, and of the common Arts
and Sciences. How few men of learning, so call-
ed, understand Hebrew ? Even so far as to read
a plain chapter in Genesis ? Nay, how few under-
stand Greek? Make an easy experiment. De-
sire that grave man, who is urging this objection,
only to tell you the English of the first para-
graph that occurs in one of Plato's Dialogues.
I am afraid we may go farther still. How few
understand Latin! Give one of them an epistle
of TuUy, and see how easily he will explain it
without his Dictionary."

" And with regard to the Arts and Sciences ;
how few vinderstand so much as the general

88 introduction:

principles of Logic ? Can one in ten of the C'lerg)',
or of the INIasters of Arts in either Universit}-,
when an arj^innent is brought, tell j'ou even the
mood and figure wherein it is proposed ?" &:c.

" It will easily be observed, that I do not depre-
ciate learning of any kind. The knowledge of the
languages is a valuable talent; so is the knowledge
of the arts and sciences : both the one and the
other may be employed to the gioiy of God and
the good of man. But yet I ask, where hath
God declared in his word that he cannot, or will
not, make use of men that have it not? Has
Moses, or any of the prophets affirmed this ? Or
our Lord? Or any of his apostles? You are
sensible all these are against you ; you know the
apostles themselves, all except Paul, were com-
mon, unphilosophical, unlettered men."

Speaking of the lay-preachers, lie says, " I am
bold to affirm that these unlettered men have help
from God, for the great work, the saving souls
from death; seeing he hath enabled, and doth
enable them still, to turn many to righteousness.
Thus hath he despised the wisdom of the wise,^
and brought to nought tiie understanding of the
prudent. Indeed, in the one thing which they
profess to know, they are not ignorant men ; I
trust there is not one of them who is not able to
go through such an examination in substantial,
practical, experimental divinity, as few of our
candidates for holy orders, even in the universities,
are able to do. But, oh ! "VVh^tt manner of ex-
amination do most of those candidates go through?
And what proof are the testimonials commonly
brought either of their piety or knowledge, to
whom are intrusted tliose sheep whicii God hatli
purchased with his own blood ?"

" But," says the objector, " they are laymen."
Mr. Wesley acknowledges, that some years ago,

INTRODUCTION. 89

to touch this was to touch the apple of his eye.
*' And this," says he, " makes me ahiiost unwiUing
to speak now, lest I should shock the prejudices
which I cannot remove. Suffer me, however, just
to intimate to you some things, which I would
leave to your further consideration. The Scribes
of old, who were the ordinary preachers among
the Jews, were not priests, they were no better
than lay-men; yea, many of them were incapable
of the priesthood, being of the tribe of Simeon,
not of Levi. Hence probably it was, that the
Jews themselves never urged it as an objection to
our Lord's preaching, (even those who did not
acknowledge or believe that he was sent of God
in an extraordinary character) that he was no
priest after the order of Aaron. Nor indeed
could he be, seeing he was of the tribe of Judah.
Nor does it appear that any objected this to the
apostles. So far from it, that at Antioch, in
Pisidia, we find the ruler of the synagogue send-
ing unto Paul and Barnabas, strangers just come
into the city, " saying, men and brethren, if ye
h^ve any word of exhortation for the people, say
on ;" Acts xiii. 15,

" If we consider these things" says he, " we shall
be less surprised at what occurs in the 8th chapter
of the Acts : — " At that time there was a great
persecution against the church, and they were all
scattered abroad :" [i. e. all the church, all the be-
lievers in Jesus, throughout the regions of Judea
and Samaria; v. 1.] Therefore they that were
scattered abroad went every- where preaching the
word: V. 4. Now, what shadow of reason have
we to say or think that ail these were ordained
before they preaciied ?"

" If we come to later times, was Mr. Calvin
ordained ? Was he either priest or deacon ? And
were not most of those whom it pleased God to
3. M

90 INTRODUCTION^.

employ in promoting the Reformation abroady
laymen also? Could that great work have been
promoted at all, in many places, if laymen had
not preached ? And yet liow seldom do the very
Papists urge this as an objection against the Re-
formation ? Nay, as rigorous as they are in things
of this kind, they themselves appoint, even in
some of their strictest orders, that " if any lay-
brother believes himself called of God, to preach
as a missionary, the superior of the order, being
informed thereof, shall immediately send hm
away."

" In all Protestant churches, it is still more
evident, that ordination is not held a necessary
pre-reqviisite for pi*eaching ; for in Sweden, in
Germany, in Holland, and, I beheve, in every
reformed church in Europe, it is not only per-
mitted, but required, that before any one is
ordained, (before he is admitted even into deacon's
orders, wherever the distinction between priests
and deacons is retained,) he shall publicly preach a
year, or more, as a probationer. And for this
practice they believe they have the authority of an
express command of God : — " Let these first be
proved ; then let them use the office of a deacon,
being fovmd blameless :" 1 Tim, iii. 10.

]VIr. Wesley tlien further remarks, that what
might be called preaching, is done in a hundred
churches in England by laymen. He says preach-
ing is to publish the word of Godj and that this
is done all over Efigland by laymen, particularly
vmder the eye of every bisliop in the nation. He
says, in proof of his assertion, that in many places
the parish-clerk reads one of the lessons, and
sometimes the whole service of the church, and
that other laymen constantly do the same thing,
yea, in our very cathedrals. Nay, he says, it is
done in the universities themselves ; and, he adds.

INTRODUCTION. 91

that a man may be a doctor of divinity, even in
Oxford, though he nevejr was ordained at all.
However he did not rest his cause on these ex-
amples, but believed it might be defended a shorter
way, that is, by the importance and necessity of
the case.— God, he says, called many sinners to
repentance by two or three clergymen : other
clergymen should have helped them, :but instead
of this they hindered them : no expedient remained
but to employ faithful laymen, who bad a sound
judgment in the things of God; the expefiient
was tried, and God immediately gave his blessing.
*' In several places," says Mr. Wesley, " by means
of these plain men, not only those who had already
begim to run well were hindered from turning
back to perdition, but other siimers also^ from
time to time, wei'e converted from the error of
their ways."

" But," says the objector, ** for these laymen to
exhort at all is a violation of order." INIr. Wesley
asks, " AV^hat is this order of which you speak?
Will it serve instead of the -knowledge and love
of God? Will this order rescue those from the
snare of the. devil w^ho are now taken captive at
his will? Will it keep them who are escaped a
little way, from turning back to Egypt? If not,
how should I answer it to God^ rf, rather than
violate I know not what order, I should sacrifice
thousands of souls thereto? I dare not do it. It
is at the perjl of my own soul. Indeed, if by
order were meant true chri.stian discipline, where-
by all the living members of Christ are knit
together in one, and all that are putrid and dead
immediately cut off from the body ; this order I
reverence, for it is of God. But where is it to be
found? In what diocese? In what town or
parish, within England or Wales? It is plain,
t^ien, that what order is to be found, is not among

92 INTIlODrcTIo^^.

you, who so loudly contend for it, but among that
very people whom you continually blame for
their violation and contempt of it."

Another objector says, " when you bring your
credentials with you, when you prove by miracles
what you assert, then we will acknowledge that
God hath sent you,"

In answer to this, Mr. Wesley observes, that
the Papists continually made this demand of the
Protestants, at the time of the Reformation ; but
that the Reformers replied — doctrines were not to
be proved by miracles, but by scripture and rea-
son, and if necessary, by antiquity. He adds,
are we to prove by miracles that A. B. was, for
many years, without God in the world, a common
swearer, a drunkard, a sabbath-breaker ? Or that
he is not so now ? Or that he continued so till he
heard us preach, and from that time was another
man? Not so; — the proper way to prove these
facts is by the testimony of competent witnesses ;
and these witnesses are ready, whenever required,
to ffive full evidence of them.

Mr; Wesley next answers to the accusation of
schism i " the damnable sin of schism." He admits
that schism is separation from the church, and yet
asserts that every separation from the church to
which we once belonged is not schism. If this be
not admitted, says he, all the English will be
made schismatics in separating from the church of
Rome. " But," says the objector, " we had a just
cause." *' So doubtless, says Mr, Wesley, we
had; whereas schism is a cavseless separation from
the church of Christ. So far so good. But you
have many steps to take before you can make
good that conclusion, that a separation from a
particular national church, such as the church of*
England is, whether with sufficient ctiuse or with-
out, comes under the scriptural notion of schism.

INTRODUCTION. 93

However, taking this for granted, will yon aver
in cool blood, that every one who dies a Quaker,
a Baptist, an Independent, or a Presbyterian, is
as infallibly damned as if he died in the act of
murder or adultery ? Surely you start at the
thought ; it makes even nature recoil : how then
can you reconcile it to the love that hopeth all
things? But whatever state they are in who
causelessly separate from the church of England,
it affects not those of whom we are speakhig, for
they do not separate from it at all." Mr. Wesley
proves this assertion by the following arguments :
— 1. That a great part of the Methodists went to
no church at all formerly, and made no more pre-
tensions to belong to the church of England than
to the church of Muscovy: and therefore if they
went to no church now, they Avould be no farther
from the church than they were before. 2t. That
those who did sometimes go to church before, went
now three times as often : therefore they do not
separate from the church. 3. Those who never
went to church at all before, now went to chin-ch
at all opportunities. And he asks, therefore, will
common sense allow any one to say these are sepa-
rated from the church ? He then very feehngly
complains of many who had used all the power
and wisdom they had, to hinder thousands from
hearing the gospel, which they might have found
to be the power of God unto salvation. " Their
blood," says he, " is upon your heads. By invent-
ing, or countenancing, or retailing lies, some re-
fined, some gross and palpable, you hindered
others from profiting by what they did hear. You
are answerable to God for these souls also. JNIany,
who began to taste the good word, and run the
way of God's commandments, you, by various
methods, prevailed on to hear it no more : so they
goon ^-ew back to perdition. But know, that for

94 INTRODUCTION.

every one of these also, God will require an
account of you at tlie day of judgment." But
thousands were still found in the good and right
way ; and says I^e, *' what a h.arvest then might
we have seen before now, if all who .say they are
on the IjOvcVs side, had come, as in all reason they
ought, to tJie help of the Lord against the mighty.
Yea, had they only not opposed the work of God,
had they only refrained from his messengers, might
not the triuiipet of God have been heard long
since in every cornei' of our land ? And thousands
of sinners, in every county, been brought to fear
God and honour the king."

Judge of what immense service we might have
been, even in this single point, both to our king
and country. All who hear and regard the word
we preach, " honour the king" for God's sake.
They render unto Caesar the things that are Cae-
sar's, as well as unto God the things that are God's,
TJiey have no conception of piety without loyalty,
knowing that " the powers that be are ordained of
God."

Yet, tell it not in Gath I At the very time that
Mr. Wesley was publishing the above paragraphs,
and manifesting such loyalty of disposition, his
iriends were treated as conspirators against the
person and government of the king. " Just now,"
says Mr. Wesley," (on the 4th of this instant
December, 1745,) the Reverend Mr. Henry Wick-
ham, one of his Majesty's Justices of the Peace
for the West Riding of Yorkshire, Avrites an order
to the Constable of Keighley, commanding him
*•' to convey the body of Jonathan Reeves, (whose
real crime is the calling sinners to repentance) to
liis Majesty's gaol and castle of York ; suspected
(saith the precept) of being a spy among us, and a,
dangerous man to the person and government oi.
his Majesty King George."

INTRODUCTION. 95

0 ye Yorkshire Methodists! who now sit so
securely under your own vine and fig tree, and
are raised fi'om lying among the pots to sit among
the princes of God's people, see what it cost to lay
the foundation of your present privileges. Prize
your blessings, hold them fast, and be sure to
make a proper use of them.

1 ought, perhaps, again to apologize to the
reader, for spending so many pages upon the
contents of Mr. Wesley's " Appeals to Men of
Reason and Religion ;" but as that work is one of
the best he ever wrote, and as it embraces the
strength and substance of the general objections to
Methodism, with suitable and masterly answers,
I conceived that nothing could be more calculated
to give a just idea of Methodism : so that while I
am sketching the history, I am also drawing the
picture of it. But after so many paragraphs of
statements and explanations we must now go on.
—At the time when Mr. Wesley wrote these
Appeals, the whole of the Methodists did not
amount to much above seven thousand. In 1769,
which was twenty-four years after, the number in
the different societies was 28,263 ; and the increase
has been nearly in the same proportion ever since.
Seven years after 1769, in 1776, the year before
Dr. Coke came into the Connexion, the number
of the Methodists was 40,071, including 3148 in
the United States of America. And thirty-eight
years after that, namely, in 1814, the year in
which the Doctor died, the total number of the
Methodists was 436,327.

From the period when Mr. Wesley wrote the
Appeals, to the time that Dr. Coke joined him,
a space of thirty-two years, we have no particular
historical records, except Mr. Wesley's Journal.
In the midst of much opposition, and many diffi-
culties, the work maintained its gi'ound, and upon

9Q INTEODUCTION.

the average, was still increasing. And yet it is
right to observe, that while the body at large has
generally been on the increase, many individual
places have been, at least for a season, on the
decrease: and this is still the case to the present
day. And those who form a general opinion from
what falls under their own individual notice,
sometimes indulge and propagate the idea that the
whole body is on the decline, because, for the
moment at least, it happens to decline where they
reside.

The lawfulness and expediency of separating
from the church was a subject repeatedly debated
at the Conferences, and otherwise, during the life
of Mr. Wesley. Some joined the society who had
been brought up among the Dissenters ; some who
had been brought up in the church, imbibed the
notions of Dissenters ; and above all, the unkind,
uncharitable, and irritating, persecuting conduct of
many of the clergy towards the Methodists, made
numbers of them wish for a separation from the
established church. A formal and total separation,
at that period, would not have been a wise mea-
sure ; nor would I recommend such a separation
now. The peculiar call of Methodism is, to be-
come all things to all descriptions of men, so far
as the scriptures will warrant, in order to do the
more abundant good. To have formed a separa-
tion at an early or any subsequent period, would
have greatly contracted the spread and influence of
Methodism, or, in other words, of truth and
piety. There are still many places in the nation
which may give us an impressive idea of the inex-
pediency of such a measure, even at the present
day.

There are many other places, where it seems to
be highly expedient, if not absolutely necessary,
to have service in canonical hours, and to admi-

INTRODUCTION. 97

njster the sacraments of baptism and tlie Lord's
supper in the Methodist chapels. And there are
some other places, where something of a middle
course seems to be the most excellent way. Could
the church of England, as a hierarchy, be proved
to be so completely built upon the scripture, that
it would be a sinful transgression to deviate from
it, then the Methodists ought most firmly, uni-
formly, and tenaciously, to cling to it. On the
other hand, if it could be proved to be so unscrip-
tural, that all conscientious persons ought to come
out of it, and be separate, then certainly the
Methodists ought fully and avowedly to foi'sake
it. But with its undeniable mixtm-e of good and
evil, perfection and imperfection, the Methodists
are at full liberty to do as occasion may serve;
they may calculate upon advantages and disad-
vantages, and act accordingly; and in all this
commit no sin or foUy.

About the years 1761 and 1762, there was a
great revival among the Methodists, and a great
increase of their numbers, and especially in London
and Bristol. But the work was considerably dis-
graced by a good deal of wild fire which mingled
itself with the sacred flame. Mr. Wesley laboured
hard to separate the evil from the good ; but some
have thought that his extreme lenity upon this
occasion gave too much advantage to the cause of
enthusiasm and disorder.

In the year 1770, in consequence of ^ome pro-
positions which Mr. AVesley inserted in the mi-
nutes of tiae Confei-ence, which gave great umbrage
to the Calvinists, they, and particularly I.ady
Huntingdon, and her intimate friends, declared
open hostilities again&t him, ahd sent a circular
letter through the nation, calling upon all avIio
saw those minutes in the same light that tliey
did, to assemble in Bristol, where the nexi Con-
^4. N

9S IJTTRODUCTION.

ference was to be, and to go in body, and insist
upon Mr. Wesley's recantation of those senti-
ments; or, if he should refuse so to do, then to
sign and publish their protest against him as a
dreadful heretic.

This movement against him did somewhat alarm
and intimidate Mr. AVesley at the first. Though
he was not convinced that the propositions were
erroneous, yet seeing they were likely to lead to
such serious consequences, he was sorry that he
had been so bold as to publish them. But the act
was done, and could not be recalled except by a
recantation, to which his understanding and integ-
rity would not allow him to submit.

On the eighth of August, IVIr. Shirley, who
had written the circular letter, went to the Con-
ference, with nine or ten of his friends. Mr.
Wesley, in his journal, says, " We conversed
freely for about two hours, and I believe they were
satisfied, that we were not such " dreadful here-
tics" as they imagined, but were tolerably sound in
the faith."

Smoothly as this conversation seems to have
passed over, it seems not to have laid the found-
ation of a solid and durable peace: so far from it,
that a furious paper v/ar immediately commenced,
which continued for some years. IMr. Toplady,
Messrs. Richard and Rowland Hill, and Mr. Ber-
ridge. Vicar of Everton, were the principal wri-
ters on the Calvinistic side of the controversy;
and JMr. Fletcher, Vicar of Madely, in Shropshire,
was almost the only writer on the other side. ^ir.
Wesley wrote a pamphlet or two on the occasion,
but h:ippily for him and tlie cause, Mr. Fletcher
took the conduct of the vfar off his hands ; he had
much more leisure than JMr. Wesley, and his
talents were admirably suited to the task he
assumed. Yet, but for this controversy, it is

INTRODUCTION, 99

probable that his abihties as a writer would never
have been known. Till then, he had published
scarcely any thing, if indeed any thing at all,
small or great. As a certain writer has justly said
of him — " The temper of this gentleman did not
incline him to polemic divinity : he was devout
and pious to a degree seldom equalled since the
first ages of Christianity ; but when urged to the
controversy, by his love of truth, and his venera-
tion for Mr. Wesley, he shewed himself a com-
plete master of his weapons; and, in his hands,
the ablest of his antagonists were like Lichas in
the hands of Hercules, or the lion in the hands ot
Samson. They sunk into nothing in the pre-
sence of a man, who equally excelled in temper
and in skill. He was charged by those gentlemen
with illiberal sarcasm, and an uncandid represent-
ation of their principles. But the charge was ill
founded ; Mr. Fletcher did not represent predesti-
nation in the most amiable point of view, but he
depicted her as she is ; he disrobed her of the
meretricious ornaments her votaries had put upon
her ; he threw aside the veil with which she was
covered ; and, exposing her to public view, exhi-
bited not only the comforts of election, but those
also of pretention, and displayed the decree of
reprobation stampt in indelible characters upon
her forehead. His success was such as might be
expected : he convinced all but those who would
not be convinced. His arguments were unanswer-
able ; and he retired from the field covered with
well earned glory."

From this period, Mr. Wesley was but httle
troubled with the advocates for absolute predesti-
nation. Mr. Fletcher's works became, and stiU
continue a standing answer to all who assert it, as
well as highly useful to those who have been
troubled with questions or doubts on that subject.

iOO INTRODUCTION.

This controversy between the Calvinists and
Mr. Wesley was just terminated, or terminating,
when Dr. Coke relinquished his situation in the
church of England, and humbled himself to
become, for the rest of his life, a Methodist
preacher.

At this time, the number of Circuits in the
Methodist Connexion, in Great Britain, Wales,
and Ireland, was 58 ; the number of the preachers
about 150 ; and the number of members in the
different societies, in the three kingdoms, about
38,000. The American Methodists were now left
out of the minutes on aceoimt of the war which
had broken out between England and America.

After so long, but I hope not useless or unne-
cessary an introduction, perhaps the reader will
think it time for me now to enter upon the Litu
of Dr. Coke.

THE LIFE

OF

BR. COKE.

DR. COKE was born at Brecon, or Brecknock,
the county town of Brecknockshire, in South Wales.
Brecon is situated on the river Usk, 34 miles
north-west of Monmouth, and 163 west by north
of London, and sends one member to Parliament.
Dr. Coke was bom on the 9th of October, in the
year 1747 : his father was a physician in Brecon,
but died when his son Thomas was young : some
branches of the family still reside in Brecon, and
are respectable. Respecting the juvenile days of
the Doctor our materials are but scanty : the first
part of his education he received at the grammar
school, in the town of his nativity ; and when he
reached a proper age, he was entered at Jesus
Collge, Oxford, where he graduated. We have
not been able to coUect all the information we
could wish respecting his conduct while at Oxford.
Mr. John Scott, now Lord Eldon, and Lord High
Chancellor of England, was a fellow collegian and
intimate acquaintance, which they mutually recog-
nized, when, near twenty years before the death of
the Doctor, he waited upon Lord Eldon, tlien
Sir John Scott, and Attorney-General, to say
something in behalf of the liberties and privileges
of the Methodists, and especially of their mission-
iiries in the West Indies.

102 LIFE OF DR. COKE.

A considerable part of the time which the
Doctor spent at Oxford he was a Deist. He was
recovered from this dangerous delusion by reading
the book intitled " The Trial of the Witnesses ;"
and he was afterwards awakened to a sense of the
need of regeneration by reading the treatise of
Dr. Witherspoon upon that subject.

But prior to his entering into holy orders, such
was his respectability and influence in Brecon,
tliat he was chosen to the office of chief magis-
trate there when not more than twenty -five years
of age ; and this office he filled with great reputa-
tion, highly to the satisfaction of the corporation,
and greatly to the promotion of the good order of
the town. Almost immediately after his filling
the office of Mayor of the town of Brecon, he
obtained episcopal ordination. He had, not long
after tliis, a flattermg prospect of obtaining a
prebendary in the cathedi'al of Worcester : he was
partly led to this expectation by the member of
Parliament for Brecon, who had held out such an
encouraging prospect in return for the assistance
which the Doctor and his family had affi)rded him
in securing his election for the borough of Brecon ;
and Jiis expectation might be increased by the
friendship of a Noble Lord. This part of his
history the Doctor related to the author of this
work only a few years ago. But though the
member secured his seat in Parliament, Dr. Coke
did not obtain a prebend's stall. A certain
Nobleman honoured the Doctor with his peculiar
friendship and esteem till he joined the Metho-
dists; and the Doctor received a promise, under
his Lordship's own hand, a few months before he
left his curacy, that he would recommend him to
the king for some crown preferment. But just at
that time, the Reverend IVIr. Brown, Rector of
Fortishead, and Vicar of Kingston, in {Somerset-

LIFE OF DR. COKE. 103

shire, put into his hands Mr. Fletcher's Checks to
Antinomianism, " which," said he, " were the
blessed means of bringing me among that despised
people the Methodists, among whom, God being
my helper, I am determined to live and die."

It was at the house of this Mr. Brown that Dr.
Coke had his first interview with Mr. \A^esley,
mentioned elsewhere.

In reading the future part of his life we shall be
convinced that it was well that he was disappointed
in his expectations of preferment. He becam.e
curate of Rodd, near Bath, and afterwards of
South Petherton, both in the county of Somerset.
While he was at the latter place, feeling a wish to
do good, and not knowing any better method,
circumstanced as he then was, he read in the
church some of the best and most Evangelical
sermons he could meet with : and certainly he was
to be commended; he could not at that time
preach extempore; and it is not likely that he
could have composed sermons equally excellent as
those of Mr. Wesley and others, which he was
able to procure. I am not an advocate for the
reading of sermons, abstractedly considered ; but
when a man does read his sermons, it is certainly
better to read a good one written by somebody
else, than an indifferent one written by himself.
These performances of the Doctor, and the zeal
which he otherwise displayed for doing good, were
not without some visible effect. But at the same
time, the carnal mind, that is enmity against Go J,
and the things and truths of God, and especially
the truths of the gospel, was very visibly displayed
upon this occasion: strong opposition and vehe-
ment hostility appeared against the Doctor, his
preaching, and other proceedings. Feeling his
situation to be uncomfortable, and seeing but
little prospect of being useful, he made up his

104 LIFE OF DR. COKE.

mind to relinquish his situation in the* church.
He might have met with many other more desir-
able situations in the established church, but such
was the humble piety of his disposition, so much
had he imbibed the most favourable and impres-
sive notions of the Methodist doctrines and dis-
cipline, that upon quitting South Petherton, he
joined Mr. Wesley. He did not however do this
in a premature or hasty way. He had a long
interview with Mr. ^Vesley about a year before he
joined him. Mr. Wesley recorded this interviejv
in his journal of August 13, 1776. — " I preached,"
says he, " at Taunton, and afterwards w^ent with
Mr. Brown to Kingston. Here I foimd a clerg}^-
man. Dr. Coke, late gentleman-commoner of Jesus
College, in Oxford, who came twenty miles on
purpose : I had much conversation with him, and
an imion then began which I trust shaU never end."
The Doctor, however, appears to have continued
in his curacy at South Petherton for about a year
longer, and then gave himself entirely up to the
service of the Methodists. In his journal of the
19th of August, 1777, Mr. Wesley says — " I went
forward to Taunton, with Dr. Coke, w^ho, being
dismissed from his curacy, has bid adieu to his
honourable name, and is determined to cast in his
lot with us." I incline to think the Doctor liad
attended the Conference which had just been held
in Bristol, and that he now accompanied Mr.
Wesley in his tour through Devonshire and Corn-
w'all. However, whatever was the cause, his
name did not appear on tlie minutes till the year
1778. His name was then inserted among those
put down for the London circuit; and he was
always put down for London afterwards, except a
few of the last years before his death, when his
stood at the head of the minutes as " general
supecintendant of aU our missions." But as he

LIFE OF DR. COKE. 10.5

had fully made up his mind upon the subject, and
obtained tlie concurrence of the Conference held
at Liverpool in 1813, to conduct a company of mis-
sionaries to India; he was then appointed only
" general superintendent of our Asiatic missions?'
As early as the year 1780 the Doctor was ap-
pointed the assistant, or superintendent, of the
London circuit. The preacher to whom IMr.
Wesley committed the care of a circuit, and of
his fellow-labourers, he termed the assistant ; that
is, the preacher who was to assist himself in the
government of the circuit and the other preachers
appointed for it. To have called the preacher
whose name stood the first on the minutes for any
particular circuit, superintendent, might have
looked rather too big, and suggested some idea
too nearly approaching to independency ; at least,
it would not have served, like the word assistant,
to put all such officers in mind that tliey were sub-
ordinate to Mr. Wesley. But after his death, the
term was changed of necessity : to call the man
A\'ho superintended his colleagues and the circuit,
assistant, could no longer be made into sense.
However, we shall find by and by, that \\'hatever
these superintendents gained in name, they more
than lost in authority, in a few years after tlic
death of Mr. Wesley, when, for the peace of the
IVIethodist Societies, they surrendered a great part
of their power into the hands of the stewards and
leaders: but more of this in due time.

About the year 1780, Dr. Coke began to make
excursions among the societies in different parts of
England, after he had for some little time supplied
:Mr. ISPNab's place at Bath. The Re\erend
Edward Smyth, an Irish clergyman, and his pious
and amiable wife, Mrs. Agnes Smyth, having
occasion to spend some time at Bath, Mr. Smyth
wished to preach every^ Sunday evening* in the
4. O

106 LIFE OF DR. COKt!.

ISIethodist Chapel there. Mr. M 'Nab, Mr. Wes-^^ "
ley's assistant in that circuit, would not consent to
this; he thought it rather too humiliating to him
and his colleagues, for a clergj'-man to be treated
with such ^re-eminent deference : others thought
the reluctance di.^played by Mr. M'Nab she\\c(t
that there was a wish in the lay-preachers to set
themselves upoii a level with clergymen ; and Mr,
Charles Wesley, in particular, entered very warmly
into the business, hi opposition to JNIr. JM'Nab.'
It was the opinion of man}-, that he prevailed
upon his brother, contrary to liis o^vn judgment
and inclination, to dismiss INIr. M'Nab from the
Methodist Connexion. At the ensuing Confer-
ence, however, by the intiuence of some of the
preachers, IMr. M'Xab was restored to the Con-
nexion, and he travelled a few years longer; but
his dismission, and the circumstances connected
-with it, had left an impression upon his mind
\\ hich could not be fully removed ; so he became
the pastor of a small Independent Congregation at
Slieffield, by whom he was highly esteemed, and
among whom he finished his course about the year
1797.

iVfter Dr. Coke began to make excursions into
different parts, he frequently acted as INIr. Wes-
ley's substitute or delegate in the regulation of
niattei's pertaining to the societies ; and sometimes
by this he got himself into difficult and unpleasant
circumstances. To have many things to do with-
out a specific and generally acknowledged autho-
rity, is far from being desirable: sometimes, when
a scheme does not succeed, such an agent will b^
in danger of being made a sacrifice for a peace-"
offering; and there is a probability that a man of
the Doctor's warm and energetic turn of mind,
would sometimes be in danger of over-doing mat-
ters, and especially when he was opposed and

LIFE OF DR. COKE. 107

irritated. One of the first businesses that he dis-
played his active devotion to serve Mr. Wesley
and the Connexion in, was the settlement of
chapels upon the Methodist or Conference plan.
Some of the trustees seemed to wish to have more
power in the placing and <:li,splaGing of the preach-
ers than ]Mr. AVesiey thought consistent with the
necessary and proper authority of the preachers,
^nd which he thought would injure, if not destroy
the purity of J^Iethodism.

Such a vast and complicated machine as the
INIethodist Connexion is, requires that those who
have the chief management of it should possess
power adequate to the undertaking. An itine-
rant connexion differs very much from the case of
the Independents, the Baptists, or any other
denomination of christians whose ministers are
'fixed and settled. There seems to be no fair alter-
native but for the Methodists either to leave the
ijtationing of the preachers in the hands of the
Conference, or to relinquish the gratifications and
advantages of the itinerant ]Ann. But when Mr.
Wesley required the chapels to be settled in a
■deed of trust, according to a certain plan, he did
not require that these chapels, in whole or in part,
should become his property, or the property of
the Conference after hi«s decease, but simply that
the appointment of the preachers should not be in
the hands of the trustees. Neither he, nor the
Conference, did ever attempt to get any chapel
settled, but so as to secure it in perpetuity for the

Eurpose for which it was built. No attempt has
een made to take the chapels from the trustees,
or the congregation, but only to prevent strangers,
or parties who have but lately come into existence,
or other parties which may possibly exist, from
alienating any of the chapels from their original
purpose. The members of the Conference do not,

108 LIFE OF DR. COKF..

as such, claim any property iii any cha]:)el; tliey
claim no share of the seat-rents ; nor do they pre-
tend to any right to sell, or otherwise to dispose
of these chapels, ^^^lat is e<illed settUng a chapel
on the Conference plan, amounts to nothing more
than this, that the chapel shall not be the private
property of the trustees ; and that if any of these
trustees should change their sentiments, or, from
any other cause whatsoever, should wish to bring
in any other party, that they shall not have power
so to do. And this cannot be deemed unfair or
unjust; for it has been chiefly owing to the labours
of the preachers belonging to the Conference that
these chapels have been erected, JNIost, if not all
the subscriptions, w^hich the neighbours and other
persons have voluntarily fiirnished towards the
expenses of building them, ha^'e been given under
the idea that the chapel w\as always to be used
according to the original purpose.

At the period of time, however, concerning
which I am now \mting, disputes ran very liigh
about the settlement of chapels. A new chapel
being built at Birstal, near Leeds, the former one
having become too small, the trustees made sucli
a deed, that Mr. Wesley strongl)^ objected to it,
and for some time his preachers were prohibited by
him from preaching in it. — Nay, ground vv as pro-
cured for building another chapel upon, that should
be properly settled. Dr. Coke took a very active
part in this contention, by which he incurred tlie
indignation of the trustees: but when conscious of
being in the path of duty, he cared as little for tlie
frowns of men as he did at other times for their
smiles. After some time, the dispute at Birstal
was compromised, the preachers exercised in it,
and have continued so to do ever since. The
ideas, however, and S])irit, which had operated
upon the trustees at Birstal, came forward again

LIFE OF DH. COKE. 109

soon after, when a new chapel was built at Daw-
Green, near Dewsbiiry. .;lfter a painful, and
somewhat protracted contest, that chapel was lost
to the Connexion, and JMr. John Atlay, then
INIr. Wesley's book-steward, and who had been a
travelling preacher for a number of years, made a
contract with the trustees of the chapel at Daw-
Green, became their minister, and was there till
he died, only a few years ago. For some years
before he gave over preaching his congregations
were very small, and for some time prior to his
decease, the Kilhamites occupied the chapel, and
still continue so to do. Mr. Atlay was a snarling,
cynical, small-friend of Dr. Coke ; but the Doctor
was a far more usefid man, and has left a much
better savour behind him than Mr. Atlay has.

A vast number of IMethodist chapels have been
erected since the disputes above-mentioned. Some
contention has, on sundry occasions, attended the
settlement of them, though not of so warm and
disagreeable a description as what occurred at
Birstal, and at Daw-Green, near Dewsbury. One
great cause of the abatement in the disputes re-
specting the settlement of chapels, has been some
concessions being made on both sides, and a better
general understanding of the subject.

It was while this subject was in agitation, and
before it was properly determined, tliat Mr. AVes-
ley, and some of his most confidential friends,
took those measures which led to the making and
executing the well known

Deed-Poll, or Deed of Declaration.

This "bears date February 28, 178 k and was
enrolled in his Majesty's High Court of Chancery.
As Dr. Coke liad a considerable share in tliis
affair, and was not a little blamed by some of the
preachers on the account, it will be highly pro})er

110 LIFE OF Dr. COKE.

to give some explanation of it. And first, it is
birt fair and just to give the Doctor's own state-
ment of the case, written only a few months
before the death of ^Ir. Wesley, in " yiji Address
to the Methodist Society in Great Britain and
Ireland^ on the Settlement of the Preaching-
Houses ; by Thomas Coke, L.L. D."

" MY DEAREST BRETHREN,

" It has long been the grief of my mind that
any tiling should exist among us whicli gives un-
easiness to many of you, and will, if it be suffered
to continue among us, be a grpund for perpetual
dissatisfaction, to the gre^t hindrance of the work
of God; I mean the power given to the Confer^
ence by the present mode of settling our preaching-
houses.

" I have opened my sorrowful mind at large to
several of the most judicious of our preachers,
men who have borne the heat and burden of tlie
day, men of renown in our Israel ; and they have
with one voice advised me to lay before you this
present plan of reconciliation. For this "purpose
I shall, in the first place, relate to you tiie several
fe^teps by which the deed, which was enrolled in
Chancery by our dear honoured father in the
gospel Mr. Wesley, v/as set on foot, and after-
wards completed. I shall secondly present to you
a copy of the general deed itself, with annotations.

" In the Conference held in the year 1782,
several complaints were made in respect to the
danger in which we were situated, firom the want
of specifying, in distinct and legal terms, what
was meant by the term ** The Conference of the
people called Methodists." Indeed the preachers
seemed imiversally alarmed, and many expressed
their fears that divisions would take place among
us\ after the death of Mr. Wesley, on this account ;

Life of dr- coke. 111

And the whole body of preachers present seemed
to wish, that some methods might be taken to
remove this danger, which appeared to be preg-
nant with evils or the first magnitude.

" In consequence of this, (the subject lying
heavy on my heart) I desired Mr. Clulow, of Chan-
cery-Lane, London, to draw up such a case as I
judged sufficient for the purpose, and then to
present it to that very eminent counsellor Mr.
Maddox, for his opinion. This was accordingly
done, and Mr. Maddox informed us in his answer,
that the deeds of our preaching-houses were in tin?
situation we dreaded ; that the law would not
recognize the Conference in the state in which it
stood at that time, and consequently, that there
was no central point which might preserve the
(Connexion from splitting into a thousand pieces,
after the death of Mr. Wesley. To prevent this,
he observed, that Mr. Wesley should enrol a deed
in Chahcery, which deed should specify the per-
sons by name, who composed the Conference, to-
gether with the mode of succession for its perpe-
tuity; and at the same time, such regulations be
established by the deed, as Mr. Wesley would
wish the Conference should be governed by after
his death,

" This opinion of Mr. Maddox I read in the
Conference held in the year 1783. The whole
Conference seemed grateful to me for procuring
the opinion, and expressed their wishes that such
a deed might be drawn up, and executed by ^Ir.
Wesley, as should agree with the advice of that
great lawyer, as soon as possible.

" Soon after the Conference was ended, IMr.
Wesley authorised me to draw up, with the assist-
ance of Mr. Clulow, all the leading parts of a
deed, which should answer the above-mentioned
purpose!?. This we did with much c^are, and as to

112 LIFE or DR. COKE.

myself I can truly say with fear and trembling,
receiving Mr. Maddox's advice in respect to every
step we took, and laying the whole ultimately at
Mr. Wesley's feet for his approbation. There
remained nothing noAv but to insert the names of
those who Avere to constitute the Conference. INIr.
Wesley tlien declared that he would limit the
number to one hundi-ed. This was indeed con-
trary to my very humble opinion, which was,
that every preacher in full connexion shmdd be a
member of the Conference ; and tJiat admission
into full connexion should be looked upon as
admission into membership v.ith the Conference;
and I still believe it will be most for the "lorv of
God, and the peace of our Zion, tliat the members
of the Conference admit the other preachers who
are in full connexion, and are present at the Con-
ferences from time to time, to a full vote on all
occasions. However, of course, I submitted to
the superior judgment and authority of INIr. AVes-
ley. feut I do publicly avow, that I v»^as not
concerned in the limitation of the munber, or tiie
selection of the hundred preachers who were nomi-
nated the members of the Conference.

" All things necessary being completed in the
Court of Chancery according to law, I thought it
my duty to send copies of the deed to all assist-
ants of circuits throughout Great Britain, and
afterwards carried copies of it to Ireland."

The provisions of JMr. Wesley's deed of declar-
ation were, that " AVhereas divers buildings, com-
monly called chapels, with a messuage and dwel-
ling-house, or other appurtenances, to each of the
same belonging, situate in various parts of Great
Britain, have been given and conveyed from time
to time by the said Johii Wesley, to certain per-
sons, and their heirs, in each of the said gifts and
conveyances named, which are enrolled in \yls

Liri: OF DR COKE. 113

JSIajesty's High Court of Cliaiiceiy. upon the ac-
knowledgment of tlie said John Wesley, (pursuant
to tlie Act of Parliament in that case made and
provided,) upon trust that the trustees in the
said several deeds respectively named, and the
survivors of them, and their heirs and assigns, and
the trustees for the time being to be elected, as in
the said deeds is appointed, should permit and
suffer the said John AVesley, and such other per-
son and persons as he should for that purpose
from time to time nominate and appoint, miglit
therein preach and expound God's holy word;
and upon further trust, that the said respective
trustees, and the survivors of them, and their heirs
aiid assigns, and the trustees for the time being,
shoidd permit and suffer Charles Wesley, brother
of the said John Wesley, and such other person
and persons as the said Charles Wesley should for
that ])iu-pose nominate and appoint, in like man-
ner during his life, to have, use, and enjoy the
said premises respectively for the like piu'poses
aforesaid ; and after the decease of the survivor of
them, the said John Wesley and Cliarles AVesley,
then upon further trust, that the said respective
trustees, and the survivors of them, and their heirs
and assigns, and the trustees for the time being for
ever, should permit and suffer sucli person and
persons, and for such time and times as should be
appointed at the yearly Conference of the people
called Methodists in "London, Bristol, or Leeds,
and no others, to have and enjoy the said premises
for the purposes aforesaid, &c. — And whereas, for
rendering effectual the trusts created by the said
several gifts or conveyances, and that no doubt or
litigation may arise with respect unto the same, or
intei-pretation and true meaning thereof, it ha>j
been thought expedient by the said John Wesley,
on behalf of himself, as donor of the several
4. P

H4 LIFE OF DR. COKE.

cliapcls, with the niessuages> dwelling-houses, or
appiirtenances before-meritioiied, as of the donors
of the said other chapels, with the messuages^
dwelling-houses, or appurtenances to the same
belonging, given or conveyed to the like uses and
trusts, to explaui the words " Yearly Confcroicc
of the jjcojjie called Methodists" contained in all
the said trust-deeds, and to declare xchnf persons
are members of the said Conference, anxl how the
succession and identity thereof is to be continued :
notv therefore these jjrescnts %i:itness, that for
accomplishing the aforesaid purposes, the said John
^A''esley doth hereby declare, that the Conference^
of the said people called iMethodists in LondoUy
Bristol, or I^eeds, ever since there hath been any
yearly Conference of the said people called Metho-*
dists, in any of the said places, hath always here-
tofore consisted of the preachers and expounders of
God's holy word, commonly called INIethodist
preachers, in connexion with, and imder the care
of the said John Wesley, whom he hath thought
expedient, year after year, tc* summons to meet
him in one or other of the said places of London,.
Bristol, or Leeds, to advise ivith them for the
promotion of the gospel of Christ, to appoint the
said persons so smnmoned, and the other preach-
ers and expounders of God's holy word, also ii>
connexion with and imder the care of the said
John Wesley, not summoned to the said yearly
Conference, to the use and enjoyment of the said
chapels and premises so given and conveyed upon
trust for the said John Wesley, and such other
person and persons as he shoidd appoint during his
life aforesaid ; and for the expulsion of imworthy,
and admission of new persons under his care, and
into his connexion, to be preachers and expounders
as aforesaid, and also of other persons upon trial
for the like purposes ; the names of all which per-

LIFE OF DR. COKE. 115

SOUS SO summoned by the said John Wesley, the
persons appointed, witli tlie chapels and premises
to which they wcr-e so appointed, together witli
the duration of such appointments, and of tliose
expelled or admitted into connexion, or upon trial,
with all other matters transacted and done at the
«aid yearly Conference, have year by year be(>n
printed and published under the title of the jMi-
nutes of the Conference. A?id tJicse presetits
further ivifness, and the said John Wesley doth
hereby avouch and further declare, that the several
persons hereinafter named, to wit, the said John
Wesley, and Charles ^\^esley, Thomas Coke, of
the city of London, Doctor of Civil Law, &c. cSiC.
(naming ninety seven others, with the names of
the several circuits in which they ^vere stationed :)
*' These," says he, " have been, and now are, and
do on the day of the date hereof constitute the
mernhers of the said Conference, according to the
true intent and meaning of the said several gifts
and conveyances, wherein the words " Conference
f)f the people called Methodists''' are mentioned
and contained. And the said several persons
before-named, and their successors for ever, to
be chosen as herein-after mentioned, are, and shall
for ever be construed, taken, and be the Confer-
ence of the j^eople called Methodists : nevertheless,
upon the terms, and subject to the regulations
herein-after prescribed.

He then prescribes, 1. That the Conference
shall assemble once a year, and that the time and
place of holding every sebsequent Conference,
shall be appointed at the preceding one.

2. The act of the majority in number of the
Conference assembled as aforesaid, shall be had,
taken, and be the act of the whole Conference,
to all intents, purposes, and constructions what-
soever.

116 LIIE OF DR. COKE.

3. That after the Conference shall be assembled,
they shall first proceed to fill up all the vacancies
occasioned by deaths, or absence, as after-men-
tioned.

4. No act of the Conference assembled as afore-
said, shall be had, taken, or be the act of the
Conference, until forty of the members thereof
are assembled, unless reduced under that number
since the prior Conference by death or absence,
as after-mentioned ; nor until all the vacancies
occasioned by death, or absence, shall be filled
lip by the election of new members of the Con-
ference, so as to make up the number of one
hundred, unless there be not a sufficient number
of persons objects of such election; and during
the assembly of the Conference, there shall always
be forty members present at the doing of any act,
save as aforesaid, or otherwise such act shall be
void,

5. The duration of the yearly assembly of the
Conference, shall not be less than five days, nor
more than three weeks, and be concluded by the
appointment of the Conference, if imder twenty-
one days ; or otherwise the conclusion shall follow
of course, at the end of the said twenty-one days ;
the whole of all which said time of the assembly
of the Conference shall be had, taken, considered,
and be the yearly Conference of the people called
^lethodists, and all such acts of the Conferences-
during such yearly assembly thereof, shall be the
acts of the Conference, and none others.

6. Immediately after the vacancies occasioned
by death, or absence, are filled up by the election
of new memibers as aforesaid, the Conference
shall choose a president, and secretary, of their
a^ssembly, out of themselves, who shall continue
such until the election of another president, or
secretary, in the next or other subsequent Con-

LIFE OF Dll. COKF. 117

ference; and the said president sliall Jiave the pri-
vileoe and power of two members in all acts of
the Conference, during his presidency, and sucli
other powers, privileges, and authorities, as the
Conference shall from time to time see fit to in-
trust into his hands.

7. Any member of tlie ConfereiU'e absenting
himself from the yearly assembly thereof, for two
years successively, without the consent or dispen-
sation of the Conference, and being not present
on the first day of the third yearly assembly
thereof, at the time and place appointed for the
holding of the same, shall cease to be a member
of the Confei'ence, from and after the fu^st day
of the said third yearly meeting thereof, to all
intents and purposes, as though he was naturally
dead. But the Conference shall, and may dispense
with, or consent to the absence of any member
from any of the said yearly assemblies, for any
cause which the Conference may see fit or neces-
sary, and such .members, whose absence shall be
so dispensed with, or consented to by the CoVi-
fcrence, shall not by such absence cease to be a
member thereof.

8. The Conference shall and may expel, and
put out from being a member thereof, or from
being in connexion therewith, or from being upon
trial, any person, a member of the Conference,
admitted into connexion, or upon trial, for any
cause which to the Conference may seem fit or
necessary ; and every member of the Conference so
expelled and put out, shall cease to be a member
thereof to all intents and purposes, as though he
was naturally dead. And the Conference, im-
mediately after the expulsion of any member as
aforesaid, shall elect another person to be a mem-
ber of the Conference, instead of such member so
expelled.

Xi8 LIFE OF DR. COKE,

9. The Conference shall, and may admit inta
connexioii v/ith them, or upon trial, any person
or persons Yv^liom they shall approve, to be preachers
and expounded of God's holy word, under the
care and direction of the Conference; the iiaine of
every such person or persons so admitted into con-
nexion, or u^:vjn trial as aforesaid, with the time
and degrees of admission, being entered into the
Journal or ^linutes of the Conference.

10. No person shall be elected a member of
the Conference, who hath not been admitted into
connexion with tlie Conference, as a preacher and
expounder of God's holy word as aforesaid, for
twelve months.

11. The Conference shall not, nor may nomi-
nate or appoint any person the use and enjoy-
ment of, or to preach and appoint God's holy
word in any of tiie chapels and premises given or
conveyed, or which may be given or conveyed
upon the trusts aforesaid, Avho is not either a
member of the Conference, or admitted into con-
nexion with the same, or upon trial as aforesaid,
nor appoint any person for more than three years
isuccevssively to the use and enjoyment of any
chapels and ))remises already given, or to be given
or conveyed upon the trusts aforesaid, except
ordained ministers of the Church of England.

13. The Conference shall, and may appoint the
place of holding the yearly assembly thereof, at
any other city, town, or place, than London,
Bristol, or Leeds, v/hen it shall seem expedient
St) to do.

13. And for the convenience of the chapels
and premises alread}^, or which may hereafter be
given or conveyed upon the trusts aforesaid,
situate in Ireland, or other parts out of the King-
dom of Great Britain; the Conference shall, and
may^ when, and as often as it shall seem expedient.

LIFE OF DR. COKE^ 119

l)ut not otlierwise, appoint and delegate any mem-
ber or members of the Conference, with all or
any of the powers, privileges, and advantages
herein before contained or vested in the Con-
ference; and all and every the acts, admissions,
expulsions, and appointments whatsoever of such
member or members of the Conference so appoint-
ed and delegated as aforesaid, the same being put
into writing, and signed by such delegate or dele-
gates, and entered into tlie Journals or JMinutcs
of the Conference, and subscribed as after-men-
tioned, shall be deemed, taken, and be the acts,
admissions, expidsions, and appointments of the
Conference, to all intents, constructions, and pur-
poses whatsoever, from the respective times when
the same shall be done by such delegate or dele-
gates, notwithstanding any thing herein contained
to the contrary.

14. All resolutions and orders touching elec-
tions, admissions, expulsions, consents, dispensa-
tions, delegations, or appointments, and acts what-
soever of the Conference, shall be entered and
v^ritten in the Journals or Minutes of the Con-
ference, which shall be kept for that purpose,
publicly read, and then subscribed by the presi-
dent and secretary thereof for the time being,
during the time such Conference shall be as-
sembled; and w^hen so entered and subscribed,
shall be had, taken, received, and be the evidence
of all and every such acts of the said Conference,
and of their said delegates, without the aid of any
proof; and whatever shall not be so entered and
subscribed as aforesaid, shall not be had, takciv
received, or he tlie act of the Conference ; and the
said president and secretary are liereby requiiTd
and obliged to enter and subscribe as aforesaid,
every act whatever of the Conference.

Lastly, Whenever the said Conference sliall be

120 LIFE OF DR. COIvE.

reduced under the number of forty members, and
continue so reduced for three yearly assembhes
successively, or whenever the members thereof
shall decluie or ne^rlect to meet together annually
for the purposes aforesaid, during the space of
three years, that then, and in either of the said
events, the Conference of the people called Me-
thodists shall be extinguii^hed, and all the afore-
said powers, privileges, and advantages shall cease;
and the said chapels and premises, and all other
chapels and premises which now are, or liereafter
may be settled, given, or conAcyed, upon the
trusts aforesaid, shall vest in the trustees for the
time being of the saidchajiels and premises respect-
ively, and tlieir successors for ever, upon trust
that they, and the survivors of them, and tlie
trustees ibr the time being, do, shall, and may
appoint such person and ])ersons to preach and
expound God's holy word therein, and to have
the use and enjoyment thereof for such time, and
in such maimer, as to them shall seem proper.

Provided always that nothing herein contained
shall extend, or be construed to extend to extii:-
o-uish, lessen, or abridge the life-estate of the said
John Wesley, and Charles Wesley, or either of
them, of and in any of the said chapels and pre-
mises, or any other chapels and premises wlierein
they, the said John Wesley and Charles Wesley,
or either of them, have now, or may have, any
estate or interest, povrer or authority whatsoever :
In witness whereof the said Jolm '\\^esley hath
liereunto set his hand and seal, tiie twcnty-eightli
day of February, in the twenty -fourtli }'ear of the
rcion of our sovereign Lord George the Third,
])y the grace of God, of Great Britain, France,
and Ireknd, King, Defender of the Faith, and
so forth, and in the year of our Lord one thousand
seven hundi-ed and eighty -four."

- JOHN WESLEY."

LIFE OF DR. COKE. 121

The publication of this deed created a consider-
able ferment in the Connexion, particularly among
some of the preachers who were not included in
the hundred nominated to constitute the Confer-
ence. Some of those who were thus overlooked
were not only men of some standing in the work,
but of respectable talents and character. It is
rather difficult to assign a sufficient reason for the
slight thus put upon them ; but as some of them
were men of independent minds, and had occa-
sionally opposed Mr. Wesley, he might have con-
tracted a prejudice against them, and even have
imbibed the id^a that they were not thorough-
paced Methodists. There were a few, on the other
hand, whom he seems to have wished to take the
lead after his death ; while there were a few of the
former description whom he seems to have deter-
mined to incapacitate for having much rule and
sway. Meantime some of those who constituted
the hundred were men of no gi*eat note, and some of
them had been so short time in the work that it was
scarcely possible to form a correct opinion of them
either as disciplinarians, preachers, or christians.
Had the term of probation been then four years,
as has been the case ever since the Conference of
1784, sundiy of those who were nominated mem-
bers of the Conference would have been only upon
trial, and consequently inehgible to such election.
But after all, there can be no doubt that Mr. Wes-
ley thought closely and deeply upon the subject,
and had some reasons for his conduct which he
might not choose to publish. The clamour fell
very much upon Dr. Coke, as the supposed author,
or at least the principal adviser of the whole busi-
ness, and especially what related to the rejection
of some preachers who were known to be no great
friends of his. It was this clamour which induced
him so positively to declare, that he had no hand
4. Q

122 LIFE OF PR. COKE-

either in limiting the number or the clioice of the
persons ; and surely a man of the Doctor's veracity
would not have made such a declaration if it had
not been true.

There were, indeed, some of the preachers, par-
ticularly a few of considerable standing and respect-
ability, who viewed Dr. Coke with something of
a jealous eye, from his first entrance among them :
and this was sometimes inflamed by the active and
energetic part which he took against any of them
when he thought them reprehensible. Some of
these were sometimes ready to ask " "\^^ho made
thee a prince and a judge over us?" Exod. ii. 14.
And their mutual remarks were calciilated to
bring to mind, Gen. xix. 9- — '* And tliey said,
stand back. And they said again, this one fellow
came in to sojourn, and he will needs be a judge."
And as the best of men still possess some of the
feelings of human nature, and do not possess
absolute perfection, and especially as to the know-
ledge of other men's hearts and motives, sucK
jealousies do not conclude against the genuine
Christianity of a man's character.

So early as the year 1782, Dr. Coke was dele-
gated by JNIr. Wesley to hold a Conference in
Dublin. Till then there had been no regular
annual Conference in Ireland. Several times, in-
deed, when Mr. Wesley was in Ireland, he con-
vened some of the preachers, and conferred with
them upon the affairs of the societies in Ireland.
But the chief part of the Irish affairs had hitherto
been settled at the Confercnces in England. But
from 1782 there has been a Conference every year
in Ireland, and always in the city of Dublin; and
except in the years 1791 and 1793, Dr. Coke was
always the president of this Conference, for about
thirty years. In this office he acquitted himself
with gTeat propriety and ability, and was of very

LIFE OF DR. COKE. 123

great service to the Metliodists in Ireland. He
was ever a zealous and in-econcilable enemy to
sin, in whomsoever detected, and so the Irish
Methodists, and especially the preachers, found
him : with the resolution of an ancient apostle or
prophet, he cleansed the sanctuary when iniquity
was brought to light and proved. But he was not
only firm and resolute, but he also possessed the
tender and compassionate sensibilities of rehgion :,
on some he had compassion, making a difference;
Jude xxii. In no part of the Connexion had the
Doctor such paramount influence and authority as
in Ireland: he travelled through a considerable
part of that country almost every year, before the
time of the Conference, By this means he became
the better prepared to preside at that assembly,
as in his travels he obtained a more fuU and par-
ticular knowledge of the state of the ch'cuits, and
the real characters of the preachers, than he other-
wise could have had. During the many years that
he presided at the Irish Conference, Methodism
obtained a very great increase of extent and pros-
perity. A¥hen he first went thither in 1782, there
were only 15 circuits, 34 preachers, and not 6000
private members. But at the Conference of 1813,
the last at which he presided there, there were 48
regular circuits, besides 8 missionary circuits, 5Q
therefore in all; 121 preachers, supernumerary
ones and missionai'ies included ; and private mem-
bers 28,770.

The Doctor sent to America.

But leaving the affairs of Ireland for the present,
I proceed to observe, that only a few months after
he had taken such an active part in procuring Mr.
Wesley's Deed of Declaration, he was intrusted
with a most important business in America. This
WAS nothing less than organizing a new form of

124 LIFE OF DR. COKE.

discipline, or church-government, in the United
States, which had just obtained an acknowledg-
ment from England, the mother-country, after a
war of some years, that they were become an
independent nation.

For many long ages the whole of America
remained unknown to the rest of the world.
Christopher Columbus is generally allowed the
honour of having made the first discovery of this
new quarter of the globe. This celebrated navi-
gator was born in an obscure village in the republic
of Genoa, in the year of Christ 1442. Tradition
reports tliat he was honovu'ably descended, but that
by misfortunes his parents had been reduced to
very humble cu'cumstances. He was bred to the
trade of a wool-comber, which he quitted in dis-
gust, and became a sailor: he veiy soon became
an adept in the theory and practice of navigation,
and acquired a greater share of nautical inform-
ation than any of his contemporaries, either in his
own or any other country. He studied the mathe-
matics, particularly cosmogi-aphy, with great suc-
cess, and from this study, and a combination of
circumstances which fell under his own observation
in the course of trading voyages from his own
country towards the Atlantic Ocean, he formed to
himself the idea that there must be another conti-
nent beyond the Western INIain. It is the opinion
of some, that Columbus, from an attentive survey
of the w^orld, as it then stood dehneated on maps,
conceived that there ^vas too gi*eat a disproportion
between the land and water; and they suppose
that this circumstance fii'st suggested to him the
idea of pursuing a westerly route, in quest of
another continent which was then unknown.
Others are of a different opinion, and imagine
that the only object which he had in view in taking
a westerly direction was to find a much shorter

LIFE or DR. COKE. 125

passage to India, a country which was then be-
come known to several states in Europe, and had
occasionally been visited by Europeans before that
time.

Columbns quitted his native country in search
of powerful and opulent patrons, who might
enable him to prosecute his plan of demonstrating
the real existence of such undiscovered regions.
It is not known by what means he found sufficient
interest to make application to most of the courts
of Europe for encouragement, nor how he sup-
ported the expenses of his journies. He came to
England, after meeting with a mortifying recep-
tion at the French court, and laid his scheme
before Henry the Seventh, whose love of money
would not allow him to engage in such an imcer-
tain adventure. The Portuguese were too timid
to undertake such distant voyages. These disap-
pointments, however, did not deter him from
making an attempt at the Spanish court, where he
proved successful. He was furnished with three
ships, chiefly by the Queen, Isabella of Castile,
who was married to Ferdinand the Catholic, the
first King of Spain on whom the title of CathoHc
was conferred.

Columbus sailed on his expedition, and after
encovmtering many difficidties in the voyage, one
of which arose from the variation of the compass,
which till then had not been observed, on the 12th
of October, 1492, he discovered an island close to •
his ship, without any hills, and about fifteen
leagues long : to this island he gave the name of
St. Salvador. Coasting along to the southward,
he discovered Cuba and Hispaniola, and having
taken possession of them in the name of his sove-
reign, he returned to Spain, where he was received
with every mark of joy and respect. He was
honoured with the patent of nobility, and made

126 LIFE OF DR. COKE.

Admiral of the Indies. He then sailed again, and
discovered Jamaica; and in 1498, he made a third
voyage, and discovered Paria, which was the first
place he discovered on the continent of America.
In 1500, he was basely sent home in irons, upon a
most malicious chai-ge; but he soon cleared himself
to the king, and went upon another expedition.
He died in 1506, and his remains were interred in
the cathedral at Seville, beneath a tomb-stone, on
which is this inscription — " Columbus gave Castile
and Leon a new world."

One part of the continent of America being
discovered, led gradually to the discovery of more
and still more to the south and to the north, as
well as to the west, towards the Great South Sea,
or Pacific Ocean. But in this work it will scarcely
be necessaiy to mention any parts of America but
such as have been, or still are united to Great
Britain : these form the field in wliich Methodism
has been planted, and where Dr. Coke was ac-
knowledged to be a bishop.

Nova Scotia, which is now divided into two
provinces, one of which is called New Brunswick^
while the other retains its ancient name, was first
settled by the English in the reign of James the
First, but the inhabitants were so few, that it
scarcely deserved the name of a province till 1749,
when tlu-ee thousand families were sent over to
colonize the country. There was very Uttle ap-
pearance of any religion in those uncultivated
wastes till after the conclusion of the American
war, when a number of Methodists, who had
been loyal to the king, removed to those British
dominions, and were instrumental in kindling a
flame of pure religion.

In 1606, James the First erected two companies
for the colonization of New England, then included
under the general name of Vkginia; but no regu-

LIFE OF DR. COKE. 127

lar settlements were formed at that time, only a
small trade was carried on with the Indians. But
under the violent persecutions of the Puritans by
Archbishop Laud, many of those oppressed and
afflicted people fled into that wilderness, which,
witli persevering industry, they turned into a
fruitful land. Many of these were persons of
genuine and great piety, and for some time, at
least, generally adorned the gospel. But, among
other defects which they displayed in process of
time, they persecuted those who differed from
them in religion. It may be said, indeed, as tlie
best apology that can be made for them, that at
that time the principles of universal toleration, or
equal liberty, were not generally understood and
acknowledged. They did not see that a most per-
fect civil amity may be preserved among such as
differ in speculative points of theology : they
therefore persecuted all the emigrants, who, like
themselves, had left their native country for a
more comfortable habitation than they had in
England, but who differed from them in opinions
or forms of worship. — Of these none were so offen-
sive to them as the Quakers, and whom they
cruelly persecuted.

In process of time, however, the Lord graciously
visited the regions where these descendents of the
old Puritans resided, and raised up an Elliott, a
Brainerd, an Edwards, and other burning and
shining lights, by whose instrumentality times of
refreshing came from the presence of the Lord.

In 1739, the Reverend George Whitfield, one
of the original Methodists at Oxford, made his
second visit to America, and the power of God
accompanied his popular labours. He was instru-
mental in reviving that religion which had been so
remarkable in the time of JDr. Jonathan Edwards,
l?ut which, after his death, had so much declined.

128 LIFE OF DR. COKE.

The States of New York and New Jersey, the
former of which was first settled by the English in
1664, and the latter sometime in the reign of
Charles the Second, had never much rehgion in
them till they were visited by the Methodists.

Pennsylvania, which formerly included also the
state of Delaware, was possessed originally by
natives of Holland and Sweden, but became an
English settlement in the reign of Charles the
Second, under the direction of that gi-eat and good
man, WillUam Penn, the Quaker. The first set-
tlers were chiefly Quakers, and they still make a
considerable proportion of the population of that
state. JMany of these formerly had, and some still
have true religion among them. As to the reli-
gion of the rest of the inhabitants, prior to the
introduction of IMethodism among them, we have
but little Information.

As to the five states to the south of those already
mentioned, IVIaryland, Virginia, North and South
Carolina, and Georgia, the Baptists are mmierous
in some of these states, and have been of consider-
able use to many thousands of both Whites and
Blacks. The abihties of their ministers are said to
have been in general but small, but their zeal was
great, and God gave them success. A good deal
of religion is yet to be found among them, though
some of theu' preachers have embraced the doc-
trine of universal restitution. And here and
there, in that vast tract of country fi'om the most
eastern point of Maryland to the most western
point of Georgia, some mhiisters were to be found
who had sprung from the labours of Mr. Whitfield,
and who were more or less zealous for promoting
the salvation of precious and immortal souls.

As to the state of religion among the clergy
and members of the church of England in these
states, prior to the war, and the introduction of

LIFE OF DH. COKE. 129

Methodism tliere, we have but little that is good
to say. If truth and fidelity in an historian did
not demand the contrary, a veil should be thrown
over these clergymen, these pretended ministers of
truth and righteousness. Notwithstanding the
purity of their liturgy, articles, and homihes, they
were, with a few exceptions, as bad a set of men
as perhaps ever disgraced the church of God.
And had the rulers of the church of England
been more rigid as to disciphne than they were,
yet as these clerical sons of theirs were at the
distance of three or four thousand miles from their
superiors, there would have been the greatest
difficulty in obtaining redi-ess, had the people made
apphcation. However, it is but candid and just
to acknowledge, that they are considerably better
since they have had bishops of then- own to ordain
the American episcopal clergy.

Such was the lo^v state of religion on that con-
tinent when the present revival, by the instru-
mentality of Mr. Wesley and his fellow-labourers,
was wafted over the Atlantic Ocean, and pierced
through those immense forests.

The first Methodist society was formed, and the
first Methodist chapel was built, it seems, in New-
York. This was in or near the year 1766. Mr.
Philip Embury, a local preacher from Ireland,
began to preach in the city of New-York, and
formed a society, consisting partly of his own
countrymen, and partly of the native citizens:
and near the same time, Mr. Robert Strawbridge,
another local-preacher from Ireland, settled in
Frederic county, in Maryland, and after preaching
there a Uttle time formed some societies.

In New- York, Mr. Embuiy for some time

preached in his own house, till a large room was

rented. But no gi'eat number attended till Mr.

Webb, a Lieutenant in the army, and commonly

5. . n

ISO LIFE OF DR, COKE.

called Captain Webb, then barrack-master at
Albany, found them out and joined them. He
had been savingly converted to God in the city of
Bristol, about three years before, and had occa-
sionally preached before he left England. The
novelty of a man preaching in his regimentals
soon brought greater numbers to hear than the
room could hold : a larger place was taken, 60 feet
long, and 18 broad. Captain Webb having rela-
tions on Long Island, went and preached, and
formed a society there. Meantime the congrega-
tion and the society continued to increase at New-
York. The Captain preached also about the same
time at Philadelphia, and with great success. A
chapel having been erected at New- York about
the year 1768, and Captain Webb and the other
brethren having requested Mr. Wesley to send
them some preachers, and the business being laid
before the Conference of 1769, two preachers,
Mr. Richard Boardman and Mr. Joseph Pilmoor,
offered themselves, and were sent over accordingly,

Mr. Wesley, in his journal of August 1, 1769,
says, " I mentioned, (to the Conference) the case
of our brethren at iS^ew-York, who had built the
first ^lethodist preaching-house in America, and
were in great want of money, but much more of
preachers. Two of our preachers, Richard Board-
man and Joseph Pilmoor, willingly offered them-
selves for the service; by whom we determined
to send them fifty pounds, as a token of our bro-
therly love."

A few days after they landed, INIr. Pilmoor
wrote a letter to Mr. Wesley, of which the follow-
ing is an extract : —

" Philadelphia, Oct. 31, 1769. '

" Reverend Sir,
" By the blessing of God we are safe arrived
iiere, after a tedious passage of nine weeks.

LIFE OF DR. COKE. 131

" We were not a little surprised to find Captain
Webb in town, and a society of about a hundred
members, who desire to be in close connexion
with you. This is the Lord's doing, and it is
marvellous in oiu* eyes.

" I have preached several times, and the people
iiock to hear in multitudes. Sunday evening I
went out upon the common : I had the stage
appointed for the horse-race for my pulpit, and I
think between four and five thousand hearers, who
heard with attention still as night. Blessed be
God for field-preaching. When I began to talk of
preaching at five o'clock in the morning, the people
thought it would not answer in America: however
I resolved to try, and had a very good congrega-
tion.

" Here seems to be a great and effectual door
opening in this country, and I hope many souls
will be gathered in. The people in general like to
hear the word, and seem to have some ideas of
salvation by grace."

In a few months after, Mr. Boardman said, in
a letter to Mr. Wesley, — " Our house contains
about seventeen hundred hearers: about a third
part of those who attend the preaching get in, the
rest are glad to hear without. There appears such
a willingness in the Americans to hear the word,
as I never saw before. They have no preaching
in some parts of the back settlements : I doubt
not but an effectuar door will be opened among
them. O may the Most High now give his Son
the heathen for his inheritance. The number of
Blacks that attend the preaching affects me much."

Mr. Pilmoor, who was a good and popular
preacher, soon visited various places in Maryland,
Virginia, and North Carolina, and preached in
those states with considerable success.

At the Conference in 1771, Mr. Francis Asbury

132 LIFE OF DR. COKE.

and Mr. Kichard Wright were sent over to assist
those who were before in America. How INIr.
Wright conducted himself in America, and with
what success, I do not know ; but after a short time,
he not only returned to England, but ceased to be a
Methodist preacher and a Methodist, and died
some years ago in the west of Cornwall, his native
count)^, in great obscurity. But Mr. Asbuiy has
remained uniformly to this day, a most valuable
and unshaken pillar in that branch of the church
of God. He has been abundant and unremitting
In his labours. It was his practice not to stay
long in the cities and large towns, but to spend a
great deal of his time in the villages and planta*
tions. This was congenial to his disposition, and
not unsuitable to his talents. In these places he
formed many societies, and he has often com-
plained of his brethren that they were too fond of
the cities and large towns. The cities and towns
being few, and the great majority of the inhabi-
tants being settled in the interior of the country,
no general work could be carried on, unless the
preachers devoted a considerable part of their time
to the country places.

In the year 1773, Mr. Wesley sent over Mr.
Thomas Rankin and Mr. George Shadford, both
of whom have written accounts of their Uves,
which have been inserted in the American Maga-
zine. Notwithstanding the success which had
crovv^ned the laboms of Mr. Pilmoor, IVIr. Board-
man, and others, they found a great deficiency in
respect to discipline. Mr, Rankin was invested
by Mr. Wesley with more than common authority,
and was professedly a great disciplinarian; and his
labours, and those of Mr, Shadford, were of con-
siderable service in respect to discipline, as well as
in the exercise of preaching. They spent nearly
jpve years on that continent, travelling through

LIFE OF DR. COKE. 133

all the states between New-York to the northward,
and North Carolina to the southward, both inclu-
sive, preaching and forming societies with great
success. Mr. Rankin says, in his own printed
account, — " At our first little Conference in Phi'-
ladelphia, in July, 1773, we had about a thou-
sand in the different societies, and six or seven
preachers ; and in May, 1777, we had forty
preachers in the different circuits, and about seven
thousand members in the societies ; besides many
hundreds of negroes, who were convinced of sin,
and many of them happy in the love of God.
Were it not for the civil war, I have reason to
beUeve the work of God Avould have flourished in
a more abimdant manner, as both rich and poor
gladly embraced the truths of the gospel, and
received the preachers with open arms."

When the war between America and England
commenced, which ended in American indepen-
dency, Mr. Rankin, and some other preachers
from England, so warmly avowed themselves in
favour of the mother country, that they could not
continue to preach, but were under the necessity
of returning home, which they effected with
considerable difficulty. And of all these European
missionaries Mr. Asbuiy alone determined to
remain at his post, and did so conduct himself as
to escape any material personal danger. But
though he had preserved a perfect neutrahty, and
had scarcely spoken a word, publicly or privately,
on the merits or demerits of the war, yet such
was the known loyalty of the Metlwdists to their
king and countr)% that Mr, Asbury found it necesr
sary to conceal himself for two years, in the county
of Kent, in the state of Delaware, in the house
of a Mr. White, a justice of the peace, and a
Methodist. In this gentleman's house he held two
Ccnferences, v/ith such of the preachers n£ ho

IS4> LIFE OF DR. COKE.

€Oiild collect in the midst of the troubles and
dangers with which they were surrounded. But
at lengtli, a gentleman of Delaware, predecessor
to Dr. Franklin in the government of Pennsyl-
vania, gave him a letter of strong recommendation,
by virtue of which he ventured out, and continued
to travel through the states to the end of the war,
without any serious molestation.

Some of the preachers, who vv^ere doubtful about
the legality of the war on the part of the Ameri-
cans, and therefore scrupled taking the oaths of
allegiance to the states in which they respectively
laboured, were fined and imprisoned. But such
was the kind superintendence of a watchful Provi-
dence, that these always found some seasonable
and sufficiently powerful friend, and sometimes
among such as were not INIethodists, who used
their influence with the governor and council of
the state, and obtained their Uberty. In sundry
instances, when the preachers were brought before
the judges, they bore such a plain and faithful
testimony against sin, and so powerfidly enforced
the doctrines of the gospel, that the judges were
at a loss how to treat them.

IVIr. Moore, a preacher in Baltimore, on one
of these occasions, delivered such a discourse at
the bar, as filled the judges and the whole court
with admiration, at the strength of his arguments,
and the elegance of his diction. And the assembly
of Maryland, partly perhaps to deliver the judges
from the trouble that was given them, and partly
out of a spirit of candour, passed an act, expressly
to allow the IMethodist preachers, so called, to
exercise their functions, without taking the oath of
allegiance. It is but just to remind the reader,
that one considerable cause of these difficulties
was Mr. Wesley's " Calm iVddress to the Ameri-
can Colonies," in which he so fully justified the

LIFE OF DR. COKE. ISS

Knglish Government, and so thoroughly repro-
bated the American rebels, as they were called,
as greatly to exasperate the leading men in that
country against both him and his friends. And if
that pamphlet had not been suppressed when a
quantity of the copies of it arrived in America,
it has been thought the w hole of Methodism v/ould
have been extinguished there.

During the continuance of the war the Ameri-
can Methodists w^ere destitute of the sacraments,
except in two or three of the cities. Almost all
the clergymen of the churcli of England had left the
country, and the Presbyterian, Baptist, arid otlier
ministers, would not baptize their children, or
admit them to the Lord's Supper, except they
would leave the society, and join their respective
churches.

The societies in general were so grieved on this
account, and so wrought upon the minds of many
of the preachers by their continual complaints,
that in the year 1778, a considerable number of
them earnestly importuned Mr. Asbury to take
proper measures, that the people might enjoy the
privileges of all other churches, by being no longer
destitute of the sacraments which Christ hath
ordained in his church; but as ]Mr. Asbury was
then very strongly attached to the church of Eng-
land, he refused to give them any redress. Upon
this, a majority of the preachers withdi'ew from
him, and consequently from Mr. Wesley, and
chose out of themselves three senior brethren, who
ordained others by the imposition of their hands ;
and the preachers so ordained, administered the
sacraments to such as w^ere judged proper, in the
places which they visited. Mr. Asbury, however,
was enabled to bring them back one after another ;
and by the vote of a subsequent Conference the
ordinations were declared invalid, and a perfect
re-union took place.

136 LIFK OF- DP.. COKE. "* .

"\^^hen the independence of the American stated
was acknowledged by the British Government^
and peace was estabhshed between the two coun-
tries, Mr. Wesley received from Mr. Asbiiry a
full and particular accoimt of the progress of the
work duriiig the war, and especially of the division
which had taken place, and the difficulties he had
to encounter before it was healed. He also in-
formed iMr. Wesle}^ of the extreme uneasiness of
the people for want of the sacraments ; that thou-
sands of their children were unbaptized, and that
the generality of the members of the society had
not received the Lord's Supper for many years.
^'Ir. Wesley having seriously considered the sub-^
ject, informed Dr. Coke of his design of drawing
up a plan of church-government, and of establish-
ing an ordination for the Methodists in America.
But being somewhat timid in taking so new a
step, and to which some would strongly object,
be took time for further consideration, and sus-
pended the execution of his plan for more than a
year.

At the Conference held in Leeds, in 1784, he
declared his intention of sending Dr. Coke and
some other preachers to America ; and Mr. Richard
Wliatcoat and Mr. Thomas Vasey offered them-
selves to accompany the Doctor to America, and
to remain there ; and the offer w^as accepted. Be-
fore they embarked Mr. Wesley made an abridg-
ment of the common prayer-book of the church
of England, and desired Dr. Coke to meet him in
Bristol, to receive fuller powers for the important
mission upon which he w^as going. The Reverend
Mr. Creigliton, a clerg}mian in connexion with
Mr. Wesley, and who officiated at Mr. Wesley's
chapels in London, was also invited to Bristol.
The Doctor and Mr. Creighton repaired to Bristol
accordingly: with their assistance. ]Mr. Wesley

LIFE OF Dit. COKE. 137

ordained Mr. Whatcoat and Mr. Vasey presbyters
for America. Afterwards he ordained Dr. Coke a
Superintendent, or bishop, giving him letters of
ordination as sucli, under liis hand and seal.

This part of the work of preparation being
finished, Mr. Wesley gave Dr. Coke the letter,
of which the following is an exact copy, which
was to ht printed and circulated in America : —

Bristol, Sept. 10, 1781..
To JDr. Coke, Mr. Ashwy, and our brethren in
North America.

1. By a very uncommon train of providences
many of the provinces of JVofih America are
totally disjoined from their mother-country, and
erected into independent states. The English
Government has no authority over them, either
civil or ecclesiastical, any more than over the
states of Holland. A civil authority is exercised
over them, partly by the Congress, partly by the
Provincial Assemblies. But no one either exer-
cises or claims any ecclesiastical authority at all.
In this peculiar situation some thousands of the
inhabitants of these states desire my advice; and
in compliance with their desire, I have di-awn up
a little sketch.

2. Lord King's Account of the Primitive
Church convinced me many years ago, that
bishops and presbyters are the same order, and
consequently have the same right to ordain. For
many years I have been importuned from time to
time, to exercise this right, by ordaining part of
our travelling preachers. But I have still refused,
not only for peace sake, but because 1 was deter-
mined as little as possible to violate the established
order of the national chin-ch to which I belonged.

3. But the case is widely different between
England and North-America. Here there are

5. s «r

138 LIFE OF DE. COKE.

bishops who have a legal jurisdiction ; in America.
there are none, neither any parish ministers : so
that for some liundred males together there is none
either to baptise or to administer the Lord's Sup-
per. Here therefore my scruples are at an end;
and I conceive myself at full liberty, as I violate
no order and invade no man's right, by appointing
and sending labourers into the harvest.

4. I have accordingly appointed Dr. Coke and
Mr. Francis Asbury, to be joint superintendents
over our brethren in Xorth America: as also
Richard Whatcoat and Thomas Vasey, to act as
elders among them, by baptizing and administering
the Lord's Supper. And I have prepared a
liturgy, little differing from that of the church of
England, (I think, the best constituted national
church in the v/orld) which I advise all the travel-
ling preachers to use on the I^ord's-day, in all the
congregations, reading the Litany only on A^^'ed-
nesdays and Fridays, and praying extempore on
all other days. I also advise the elders to admi-
nister the Supper of the Lord on every Lord's-
day.

5. If any one will point out a more rational and
scriptural way of feeding and guiding those poor
sheep in the wilderness, I will gladly embrace it.
At present I cannot see any better method than
that I have taken.

6. It has indeed been proposed, to desire the
English bishops to ordain part of our preachers
for America. But to this I object, 1. I desired the
Bishop of London to ordain only one, but could
not prevail. 2. If they consented, we know the
slowness of their proceedings ; but the matter
admits of no delay. 3. If they would ordain
them now, they would likewise expect to govern
them; and hoAV grievously would this intangle
us? 4. As our American brethren are now totalL*

LIFE OF DR COKE. 139

disentinigled, both from the state, and from the
English hierarchy, we dare not intangle them
again, either with the one or the other. They
are now at full liberty, simply to follow the scrip-
tures and the primitive church. And we judge
it best that they should stand fast in that liberty,
wherewith God has so strangely made them free.

JOHN WESLEY.

Possessed of this letter, and every other creden-
tial and direction that was thought necessary, the
Doctor and his companions embarked and crossed
the Atlantic.

Upon looking over his Journal, an extract of
which was published by him, it struck me that I
should defraud the reader of both pleasure and
profit, if I did not insert what he wrote on his
voyage, and when he landed in America. It gives
a very interesting view of his manner of spending
his time, while confined week after week upon the
mighty waters, as well as manifests great piety,
ardent zeal, and a sweet and comfortable state of
mind. And we see in this journal, that his chief
studies in the ship were such as more immediately
related to the business upon which he was going,
namely, the propagation of the gospel, and more
especially the formation of a new episcopal church.
Hence we find him reading the lives of those most
eminent missionaries Francis Xavier and David
Brainerd, and Bishop Hoadley's Treatises on Con-
formity and Episcopacy ; and we find him making
some vise of his observations on the Bishop's
Treatises, when he preached at the ordination or
consecration of Mr. Asbury to the office of super-
intendent or bishop of the Methodist episcopal
church in America. And in the latter part of
that sermon, when he gives the picture of a true
christian bishop, he seems to have tak^n iome of

14-0 LIFE OF DTx. COKE.

his ideas from the characters of Xavier and Brai-
nerd. Occasionally, however, we see he unbent
his mind, by reading the works of Virgil. But
while he thus followed his studies, as if at home
and in his chamber, we find that he and his com-
panions diligently exercised the ministerial func-
tions among those on board, during the whole of
the voyage. And I am the more disposed to in-
sert his Journal, and to make these observations
upon it, as it may be considered as a specimen of
the way in which he employed himself, and the
spu'it which he manifested in the many long
voyages which he took in more than thirty years'.
But I will detain the reader no longer fi'om hearing
the Doctor tell his own tale.

AN EXTRACT

OF

D^. COKE'S FIRST JOURNAL

TO

NORTH AMERICA.

September 18, 1784.

AT ten in the morning we sailed from King-
Road for New-York. A breeze soon sprung up,
v/hich carried us, with the help of the tides, about
a hundi'ed leagues fi-om Bristol by IMonday morn-
ing. St. Austin's Meditations were this day made
no small blessing to my soul.

Sunday, 19- This day we intended to give two

LIFE OF DR. COKE. 141

sermons to the company, but all was sickness : we
were disabled from doing any thing but casting
our care upon God.

Wednesday, 22. I passed a night of trial. TI16
storm was high: the sea frequently washed the
deck. My thirst was excessive, and all the sailoi-s
were at work upon deck, except a few that were
gone to rest : sleep had forsaken me, but my trust
was truly in the Lord.

Thursday^ 23. This and the three former days
we lost several leagues, being now nearer Bristol
considerably than on Monday morning. The
storms were high and frequent, and the ship
obliged to tack backwards and forwards eVery tour
hours between the coasts of England and Fmnce.
It appeared doubtful some time, whether we should
not be obliged to take refuge in the port of Brest.
For the five last days, my brethren and myself
tasted no flesh, nor hardly any kmd of meat or
di'ink that would stay upon our stomachs.

Friday, 24. This morning I was hungry, and
breakfasted on water gruel. I now begin to
recover my strength, and employ myself in read-
ing the Ufe of Francis Xavier. O for a soul like
his ! But, glory be to God, there is nothing im-
possible with him. I seem to want the wings of
an eagle, and the voice of a trumpet, that I may
proclaim the gospel through the east and the
west and the north and the south.

. The wind has veered fi'om north-west to south-
west, and our ship sails from three to five miles an
hour towards America.

I enjoy one peculiar blessing — a place of retire-
ment, a little secret corner in the ship, which I
shall hereafter call my study. It is so small that I
have hardly room to roll about, and there is a
window in it which opens to the sea, and makes it
the most delightful place under deck. Here, God

142 LIFE OF DE. COKE.

willing^ I shall spend the greatest part of my
time.

SaUirday, 25. yVe have now sailed one hun-
di-ed and fifty leagues towards America. INIy
brethren and myself are tolerably recovered. May
we improve this time of rest to the profit of our
souls and the preparation of them for the work of
God. A sailor dangerously ill, affords us an
opportunity of visiting the crew in the steerage,
and preaching to them, througli him, the Lord
Jesus Christ.

The Captain of our sliip, I believe, never swears,
nor does he suffer any of his men, as far as he can
prevent it, to game or get di'unk. And though
the men are, I find, like the rest of their brethren,
prophane to the last degree, yet when we are
on deck, there is seldom an oath to be heard.

Simday, 2(). l^his day we performed divine ser-
vice, botli morning and afternoon, and the sailors,
except tliose on immediate duty, attended. A
French ship passed us with her colours hoisted,
and of course expecting the same compliment from
ours, vv^liilst I was enforcing the history and exam-
ple of the trembUng jailor converted by Paul and
Silas; which mucii interrupted us. The little
congregation appeared, indeed, to give close atten-
tion to brother Whatcoat, in the afternoon, while
he explained to them the wages of sin, and the
gift of God. But alas ! I am ready to despair of
doing them any essential good.

Tuesday, 28. For the two last days the winds
were contrary, and we hardly gained a league;
but they are again favourable, and we are come
tv/o hundred and fifty leagues from Bristol. The
sailors now attend us daily at morning-prayer.
For these few days past I have been reading the
life of David Brainerd. O that I may follow him
as he followed Christ. His humilitv, his self-

LIFE OF DR. COKE. 143

denial, his perseverance, and his flammg zeal for
God, were exemplary indeed.

This morning a whale played round the ship for
an hour and a half: it was a noble sight ! And
after him an innumerable company of porpoises.
How manifold are thy works, O God !

Friday, Oct. 1. I devoted the morning to fast-
ing and prayer, and found some degree of refresh-
ment, and a sacred longing after more fervency and
activity in the service of my God.

Saturday, 2. Hitherto the wind had not bloA\Ti
from any one of the sixteen eastern points of the
compass, but now a brisk gale from the east cames
us directly to our point. We are about three
hundred and fifty leagues from Bristol, but pro-
bably have not sailed in all fewer than seven
hundred.

I am entering; on the works of Virgil. Indeed
I can say in a much better sense than the poet.

*' Deus nobis hsec otia fecit,
Namque erit ille mihi semper Deus.

'■»*

Sunday, 3. Brother Vasey this morning de-
scribed to the sailors the tremendous transactions
of the day of judgment ; and in the afternoon I
endeavoured to make them sensible of the necessity
of beiug born again. They gave apparent atten-
tion, and that is all I can say. We also distributed
among them, the Word to a Sailor.

Monday, 4. I have finished the life of David
Brainerd. The most surprising circiunstance in
the whole I think is this, that the great v/ork,
wliich, (by the blessing of God) he wrought among
tJie Indians, was all done through the medium of
an interpreter. We are come about four hundred
ieao-ues.

D'

* Which may be thus translated:—*' God has provided for us
thpse sweet hours of retiromenS : and ho shall be my God for ever."

144 LIFE OF DR. COKE.

Tuesday, 5. I have just finished the Confessi-
onal, and believe the author does not speak with-
out reason in his observations concerning national
churches, that the kingdom of Christ is not of
this world; that in proportion to the degrees of
union which subsist between the church and state,,
religion is liable to be secularized, and made the
tool of sinister and ambitious men.

Wednesday y 6. I devoted this morning to fasting
and prayer. It was a good time. O that I never
may lose any thing I gain in the divine life.

Thursday, 7. In the morning we had a perfect
calm, and the Captain spread aU his sails ; the
consequence of which was, that a sudden squall
attacking us at dinner time, our main-mast was
very near being snapt in two. The mate has been
just infoi-ming me, that din-ing the squall, and the
amazing bustle in which they were, not a single
oath vv^as heard among the sailors. So far hath
Crod wrought ! We are above five hundred leagiies
on our voyage.

Friday, 8. I devoted the morning to fasting and
prayer, and reading the scriptures, and found it a
tndy profitable time.

Sunday, 10. Brothers Whatcoat and A'asey
preached to the sailors, and I expoimded in the
evening ; but, alas ! I do not perceive that we
reach their hearts, though they now attend morn-
ing and evening on the week days.

Friday, 15. I set apart this morning for fasting
and prayer, as I did also last Wednesday, and
found it a refreshing season to my soul. For
many days we had contrary winds till yesterday ;
but within these two days we have made a con-
siderable progress.

Sunday, 17. Two dolphins visited our sliip, and
immediately the sailors brought out their spear
and lines. I knew not whetlier I should oppose

JLIFE OF DR. COKE. Ho

tliem or not on account of the day : but as the
difficulty I should have to convince them of the
sin would be very great, and as they now consent
to have public worship three times on the Lord's-
day, I forbore for this time, hoping to bring
them in gradually. They killed one of them
with tlte spear, and we are to diae upon it to-
morrow. It is more like a salmon than any other
fish I know. We have sailed about seven hundred
leagues.

Mondaj/, 18. I have waded tlu'ough Bishop
Hoadley's Treatises on Conformity and Episco-
pacy ; five hundred and sixty-six pages octavo.
He is a powerful reasoner, but is, I believe, Avrong
in his premises. However he is very candid : in
one place he allows tlie truth of St. Jerom's account
of the Presbyters of Alexandria, who, as Jerom
informs us, elected their own bishops for two
hundred years, from the time of St. ^lark to the
time of Dionysius. In another place he makes
this grand concession, viz. — " I think not an \m-
interrupted line of succession of i:cg<.ilarly ordained
bishops necessary." — page 489- In sever^il other
places he grants that there may be cases of neces-
sity, which may justify a Presbyterian ordination.
But he really seems to prove one thing, that it
w^ the universal practice of the church, from the
latter end of the Hves of the Apostles to the time
of the Reformation, to invest the power of ordi*
nation in a superior church-officer to the Presby-
ters, whom the church, soon after the death of the
Apostles, called bishop by way of eminence.

Thursday, 21. I finished tlie pastorals of Virgil,
which, notwithstanding their many exceptionable
passages, by a kind of magic power, conveyed me
to fields, and groves, and purling brooks, and
|)ainted before my eyes all the feigned b.eautics of
Arcadia: and would have almost persuaded me
5. T

146 LIFE OF DR. COKE.

that it is possible to be happy without God. How-
ever, they served now and then to unbend the
powers of the mind.

Friday, 22. This day being set apart for fasting
and prayer, as also Wednesday last, I finished St.
Austin's Meditations. Certainly he was a good
and great man, however false zeal might some-
times have led him astray. Wg were now visited
by a sparrow, which informed us we were not a
great way from land. It probably came from
Newfoundland.

My brethren and I spend two hours, or there-
abouts, in reading together in the evenings. The
Captain and his son, and the mate, sometimes listen
with great attention.

The Lord has, I trust, now given us one soul
among the sailors, that of Ricliard Itare. His
mother lived in Stepney, near London, and was a
member of our society. I believe he is in a mea-
sure awakened, blessed be God, by om- ministry.

Saturday y 23. Infidels have objected to that
passage in the Psalms, The sun shall not hum
thee by day, neither the moon by night; but Vir-
gil has taken a much greater licence where he says,

" Ne tenues pluviae, rapidive potentia Solis
Acrior, aut Boreae penetrabile trigus adurat."*

Sunday, 24. I never in my life saw so beautiful
a sky as this morning, a little before sun-rise — so
dehghtful a mixture of colours, and so fine a fret-
work. I do not wonder that the poor heathens
worship the sun. ©uring our afternoon service,
and whilst I preached my farewel sermon, the
people listened with great attention; and now, I
think, I am free from their blood. This afternoon
we spoke a brig bound for London.

* May the thin rain, or the stronger power of the rapid sun, or
ihe penetrating cold ef the north-east wind, never burn you.

LIFE OF DR. COKE. 147

Sunday, 31. Contraiy to our expectation we are
still at sea, and brothers Whatcoat and Vasey
preached. I have entered again on my Greek
Testament. What a precious thinff is the word of
God! ^

Wednesday, Nov. 3. We are safely arrived at
New- York, praised be God, after a very agreeable
voyage. We enquired for the Methodist preach-
ing-house, and a gentleman, who, as I afterwards
found, had no sort of connexion with us, led us
to our friend Sands, with whom we make our
abode in a most comfortable manner. I have
opened Mr. Wesley's plan to brother Dickens, the
travelling preacher stationed at this place, and he
highly approves of it, says that all the preachers
most earnestly long for such a regulation, and that
Mr. Asbury he is sure will agree to it. He presses
me most earnestly to make it public, because, as
he most justly argues, Mr. Wesley has determined
the point, and therefore it is not to be investigated,
but complied with. By the reports of some who
lately came from Europe, or by some means or
other, the whole country has been, as it were,
expecting, and Mr. Asbury looking out for me
for some time. This evening I preached on the
kingdom of God within, to a serious Httle con-
gregation, the notice being very short.

Thursday, 4. In the morning I preached on —
As the hart panteth for the watej^-hi^ooks, so
panteth my soul after thee, O God : and had very
near as many, I think, as on the evening before.

Friday, 5. I enforced on the people, in the
morning, the example of the Rechabites: last
night, the necessity of being sealed with the Holy
Spirit of promise. In the afternoon I set off for
Philadelphia.

Saturday, 6. I arrived at Philadelphia, and was
received most kindly by brother Bakei*, merchant,
in Market-Street.

148 LIFE OF DE. COKE.

Su'iulmi, 7. I preached in tlie morning and
afternoon in St. Paul's church, at the desire of Dr,
ISIagaw ; and in the eveiiing, to a large congrega-
tion in oiu' own chapel, on the necessity of the
"witness of the Spu'it.

Mondaij, 8. Tiv. Magaw and Dr. White, t-vvo
of the clergymen of tliis city, made me a yisit :
Dr. White offered me his church on the Sunday
following. The Honourable Mr. lleid undertook
to introduce me to- the goyernor of this state; we
waited on him according to appointment, but
business of state in cotmcil detained him: however
I had the honour of spending three hours w' ith his
lady and Mr. lleid, (who is her first cousin.) She
is a Quaker, a woman who, I doubt not, loves
.God. I soon felt liberty to talk with her in the
freest manner concerning the deep things of God.
On Wednesday, the 9th, we waited on his Ex-
cellency again at the appointed time, and drank
coffee, and spent a couple of hours w itli him. He
is a man of excellent sense, and the utmost polite-
ness, and is looked upon by many as the first lite-
rary character in America. He told me, that he
had the pleasvire of spending some tiine with ]Mr.
Wesley in the year 1755, at Mr. BlackwelFs, at
l^ewisham, near London, and spoke of him with
the highest respect. He has read some of Mi.v
Fletcher's Polemical Writings, and admires them
most highly. I brought a volume of JNlr. AVes-
ley's Magazines to his lady, with which she was
much pleased, for ^Ir. Reid had praised them to
lier, and she had expressed a desire of reading
them.

Friday, 12. I preached at the Cross-Hoads, in
the state of Delaw^are, to a pleasing, attentive
congregation. Brother AMiatcoat had almost as
many to hear him in the morning as I had in the
evenmg. On our journey to this plaee, we were

LIFE OP DR. COKE, H^

most sumptuously entertained at an inn grati.?.
The landlady has certainly some love for the people
of God, but alas f she neglects her own vineyard I

Saturday, 13. I was most kindly received by
Mr. Basset, one of the executive council for the
state of Delaware. The place wliere he lives is
called Dover. He is not in society, but is build-
ing us a large chapel. Here I met with an excel-
lent young man, Freeborn Garretson. He seems
to be all micekness and love, and yet all activity.
He makes me quite ashamed, for he invariably
rises at four in the morning, land not only he, but
several others of the preachers : and now, blushing,
I brought back my alarm to four o'clock.

Sunday, 14. Brother Whatcoat had a very good
congregation in the coiu't-house, at six in the
morning. About ten o'clock we arvived at Bar-
ret's-chapel, so called from the name of our friend
that built it, and who went to heaven a few days
ago. In this chapel, in the midst of a forest, I
had a noble congregation, to which I endeavoured
to set forth our blessed Redeemer, as our wisdom,
righteousness, sanctification, and redemption. After
the sermon, a plain robust man came up to me in
the pulpit, and kissed me : I thought it could be
no other than Mr. Asbury, and I was not deceived.
I administered the sacrament, after preaching to,
I think, five or six hundred communicants, and
afterwards we held a love-feast. It was the best
season I ever knew, except one in Chiirlemont,
in Ireland. After dining, in company with eleven
of our preachers, at our sister Barret's, about a
mile from the chapel : Mr. Asbury and I had a
private conversation concerning the future manage-
ment of our affairs in America. He informed
me that he had received some intimations of my
arrival on the continent, and as he thought it pro-
bable I might meet him that day, and might

150 LIFE OF DR. COKE.

have something of importance to communicate to .
him from Mr. Wesley, he had therefore collected
a considerable number of the preachers to form a
council; and, if they were of opinion that it
would be expedient immediately to call a Confer-
ence, it should be done. They were accordingly
sent for, and after debate, were unanimously of
that opinion. We therefore sent off Freeborn
Garretson, like an arrow, from north to south,
directing him to send messengers to the right and
left, and to gather all the preachers together at
Baltimore on Christmas-eve. Mr. Asbury has also
di'awn up for me a route of about eight hundred or
a thousand miles in the mean time. He has given
me his black, (Harry by name) and borrowed an
excellent horse for me. I exceedingly reverence
Mr. Asbury; he has so much wisdom and con-
sideration, so much meekness and love ; and under
all this, though hardly to be perceived, so much
command and authority. He and I have agreed
to use our joint endeavours to establish a school or
college, on the plan of Kings^vood-school. I bap-
tized here about thirty or forty infants and seven
adults. We had indeed a precious time at the
baptism of the adults.

White's Chapel, Kent's County, State of Dela-
ware, Tuesday, 16. I am now at the house of
our brother White, who is a justice of the court
of common pleas, and general steward of the cir-
cuit. I preached to a moderate congregation, and
baptized many childi-en.

Brown's Chapel, Sussex County, Thursday, 18.
I enforced the necessity of the power of godliness,
to a tolerable congregation, in the midst of a forest.

Q-uantico - Chapel, Somerset County, State of
Maryland, Saturday and Sunday, 20 and 21.
Near this chapel I was kindly entertained by one
Mrs. Walters, a widow lady of considerable for-

LIFE OF DR. COKE. 151

tune, but not in society. The cliapel is most
beautifully situated in a forest, and the congrega-
tions were very large both Saturday and Sunday.
On the Lord's-day the chapel could not contain the
people.

Annamessex - Chapel, Somerset, 3Iondaij, 22.
I preached to a tolerable congregation in a forest.
It is quite romantic to see such numbers of horses
fastened to the trees. Being engaged in the most
solemn exercises of religion for three or four hours
every day, and that in the middle of the day, I
hardly know the day of the week, every one ap-
pearing to me like the Lord's-day.

Tuesday, 28. I preached at a chapel called
Lower Chapel, to the fii'st inattentive congregation
I have met with in America. There is indeed a
little society here, which seemed to be all atten-
tion, whilst I pointed out the necessity of being
redeemed from all iniquity. In the afternoon I
preached at the house of Dr. Robinson, a physi-
cian, and one of our local preacliers: here they
were very attentive.

Accomack County, State of Virginia, IVednes-
day, 24. I preached at Captain Downuig's, at
noon, and Captain Burton s, in the afternoon :
botli of them justices of the peace. In this part
of the country we have no preaching-houses, the
work being of veiy short standing, from one yeai-
to four ; but they talk of building, and, I encou-
rage them.

Thursday^ 25. We rode to Colonel Paramo^e's ;
his brother is a member of the assembly. Here 1
had a small congregation. The clergy in general,
in these parts, never stir out to church, even on a
Sunday, if it rains.

Northampton County, Fiiday, 26. I rode to
Colonel Burton's, and preached in his house, and
on Saturday returned back to Colonel Paramore's,

152 LIFE OF DR. COKE.

preaching at Mr. Garrettson's in my way, and at
the Colonel's in the afternoon.

Sunday, 28. I read prayers and preached at
Accomack, in the court-house, and in the after-
noon returned to, and preached at Captain Bur-
ton's, with a great deal of power, blessed be God !

3Ionday, 29- I preadied at one John Purnell's,
I have now had the pleasure of hearing Harry
preach several times. I sometimes give notice,
immediately after preaching, that in a little time
Harry will preach to the blacks ; but the whites
always stay to hear him. Sometimes I publisli
him to preach at candle-light, as the negroes can
better attend at that time. I really believe he is
one of the best preachers in the world, there is
such an amazing power attends his preaching,
though he cannot read ; arid lie is one of the
humblest creatures I ever saw.

Tuesday, 30. At noon I preached in the court-
house, at a place called Snow-Hill, to a small
congregation, most of whom, I suppose, were
almost as dead as stones ; and in the evening to
a little lively congregation, at the house of one
Law.

Wednesday, Dec. 1. I preached at a chapel of
our's in a forest, called Lane-Chapel. Here I had
a large lively congregation, baptized a great many
childi'en, and administered the sacrament to a
great many communicants. For a week past I
have been in a barren country for the gospel, but
am now, blessed be God, got again into the heart
of INIethodism.

Thursday, 2. I rode through heavy rains and
through the forests about thirty males to Mr.
Airey's, in Dorset-county, in the State of Mary-
land ; a most excellent man, and our most valuable
friend. There is not one in this county, perhaps,
more respected by all ranks of people than he ; and

LIFE OF DR. COKE. 153

he has the highest esteem for our dear father Mr.
Wesley, Indeed he has entered into the deep
thjngs of God. In this place I had a very lively
congregation ; as I had also at Colonel Vickers's,
on Saturday, 4, v/here I administered the sacra-
ment.

Cambridge, Sunday, 5. In this town, which has
been remarkable above any other on the continent
for persecution, there arose a great dispute whe-
ther I should preach in the church or not. The
ladies in general were for it, but the gentlemen
against it, and the gentlemen prevailed. Accord-
ingly the church door v*^as locked, though they
have had no service in it, I think, for several
years, and it has frequeritly been left open, I am
informed, for cows, and dogs, and pigs. How-
ever, I read prayers- and preached at the door of a
cottage, to one of the largest congregations I have
had in America. We have no regular preaching
here, but I trust shall soon have a good society
notwithstanding all the opposition.

Dr. Allen's, 3Ionday, 6. I preached at noon at
a place called Bolingbroke. Our chapel is situated
in a forest. Perhaps I have, in this little tour,
baptized more children and adults than I should in
my whole life, if stationed in an English parish.
I had this morning a great escape in crossing a
broad ferry. After setting off, Harry persuaded
me to return back, and leave our horses behind us,
to be sent after me the next day, on account of the
violence of the wind. I have hardly a doubt but
we should have been drowned if we had not taken
that step. We were in gi-eat danger as it was ;
and if my heart did not deceive me, I calmly and
sincerely prayed that God would take me to him-
self, if the peculiar work in which I was engaged,
was not for his glory.

Dr. Allen is a physician of great enninence 'ixx
5. U

154 LIFE OF DR. COKE.

these parts, and a most precious man, of excel-
lent sense, and of the greatest simplicity. One of
the ferrymen of that dangerous ferry, (who I sup-
pose owns the boat) is half' a Methodist, and there-
fore supplied us with two horses to Bolingbroke,
which is about seven miles fi'om the feny ; and one
Captain Frazier carried me in his carriage from
Bolingbroke to Dr. Allen's. This Captain and his
wife have been lately awakened : but sa3^s he to
me, we have neither of us yet found the blessing.
He is a man of large fortune.

Wednesday, 8. I preached to a lively congrega-
tion at Tuckaho-chapel, in a forest. These are, I
think, the best singers I have met with in America.
In the afternoon I went to Colonel Hopper's. This^
gentleman is a man of excellent sense ; he is a
member of our society, and in simiplicity a little
child. He was six years sheriff of a neighbouring
county (Caroline) and three years its representative
in the assembly. He has been lately removed to
Queen Ann's coimty, and therefore has not been
chosen for this year : there being a law of this
State, that no person shall be a representative for
any county, but that in w^hich he resides, and lias
resided for twelve months. In my w^ay to this
place, I dined with Colonel Downs, one of the
present representatives for Caroline county, a dear
brother of ours, who lias lately built us a syna-
gogue. Some time ago, during the war, w^hen he
was sheriff for Caroline county, and unawakened,
one of our preachers was apprehended in his
county, because he would not take the oaths of
allegiance ; and Mr. Downs told the preacher he
was obliged to imprison him, but that he would
turn his own house into his prison ; and both the
Colonel and his lady were awakened by their pri-
soner. Not far from brother Hopper's, is one
Colonel Emery, wiiose wife is in our society. He

LIFE OF DR. COKE. 155

professes faith, but will not join us. When Mrs.
Emery received one day at preaching a sense of
pardon, and related at lionie the blessing she had
received, Mr. Emery, who was a candid inquirer
after truth, and placed the greatest confidence in
his wife, was awakened by the relation, and used
to continue on his knees at prayer, till they bled ;
and never rested till he was clearly justitied. 1
think he will not keep from us long. Tliere is also
in this neighbourhood one Mr. Kent, a member of
our society, who was for some years a represent-
ative for Caroline county, but withdrew this year
on account of a multiplicity of private business.
There is not, perhaps, in the whole assembly, a
person more respected than he. They offered to
choose him speaker, but he refused.

Kent-Island, Thursday, 9- Here I was obliged
to preach out of doors. The very man who pub-
lished me in the church, and who is one of the
vestry, and one of the principal men in the island,
shut the doors of the church against me. INIany
people, I believe, who had no regard for the
Methodists, were filled w^ith indignation. But the
natural and spiritual sun, blessed be God, shone
upon many of us.

» Friday, 10. I preached in Colonel Hopper's
house, but the house would not hold the people ;
and many, who could not come within hearing,
went away. This afternoon I went to visit one
JVIr. Chairs, about two years ago a famous fox-
hunter, now a leader of a cla&s, and one of the
most zealous men in the country. It is remark-
able that his fox-hounds, though he took equal
care of them, left him one after another in about
two months after he gave over hunting.

New-Town, Sunday, 12. 1 preached to three
large congregations. The preaching-house would
not hold, 1 think, above half the people in the

156 LIFE OF DR. COKE.

afternoon : so after reading prayers in the chapel,
I preached at the door.

Near the Chesapeak, Monday, 13. At noon I
preached, baptized, and administered the sacra-
ment in Kent-chapel; and at three, preached in
Worton-chapel, to a large congregation.

Tuesday, 14. We crossed the Bay, and at the
other side v/ere met by jNIr. Dallam, in his chariot,
to whose house I went. He is brother-in-law to
the governor of the state, and a member of out*
society. We have a preaching-house near, where
I preached in the evening to a few, there having'
been little notice given. ^Ir. Asbury met me on
this side of the Bay : between us we have got
about one thousand pounds sterling subscribed for
the college.

Gunpowder-chapel, Wednesday , 15. I preached
to a small congregation; but most of them, 1
believe, were genuine christians. We had indeed
a refreshing shower at the sacrament. I spent the
remainder of the day at our kind brother Walter's,
^vell known to brother Rankin.

Thursday i 16. We returned to brother Dal-
lam's, where I preached, and administered the
Lord's-Supper to an attentive people.

Friday, 17. We set off for our valuable friend's
^Ir. G. His new mansion-house, whicli he has
lately built, is the most elegant in this state. But,
alas ! it has robbed him, I am afraid, of a consider-
able part of his religion. His lady is a precious
v/oman of fine sense. His daughter, about twelve
years old, is of excellent parts, but not awakened.
He intends to go to England next spring, to
buy furniture for his house, which, I fear, will
only still lower him , in grace. On these ac-
oo\mts, he will only give thirty guineas towards
the college, and five guineas for tracts for the
poor. Here 1 have a noble room to myself,

UFE OF DK. COKE. 157

%\ here Mr. Asbiiry and I may, in the course of
a week, mature every thing for the Coitfer-
ence.

On Christmas-eve, they opened tlieir Conference
in the city of Baltimore, Avhich continued ten days.
On the 27th of December, Dii. Coke ordained
Mr. Asbury to the Office of Superinten-
dent, OR Bishop, of the Methodist Epis-
copal Church, in America. And on the same
day, the Doctor preached before the General Con-
ference, a sermon sidted to the important occasion.
And after the consecration of JMr. Asbury, a
number of elders and deacons were ordained.

As the transaction now under consideration,
formed one of the most important events of the
life of Dr. Coke, and as the chief parts of that
sermon are employed in explaining and defending
the measure, and as it has been the most severely
criticised by his opposers of any thing he ever
published, it is just and necessary to insert here
the principal parts, that tiie Doctor may speak and
the reader may judge for himself

SUBSTANCE OF A SERMON

PREACHED AT BALTIMORE.

His text was — Revelations iii. 7 — 11.

THE most important part of a minister's duty,
is to insist on the great fundamental truths of
Christianity. But he is called occasionally to con-
sider subjects of a more confined and peculiar
pature; aiid the intention of the present meeting

158 LIFE OF DR. COKEo

more especially requires such an attempt. I shall
therefore, with the assistance and blessing of God,

In tlie first place, vindicate our conduct in the
present instance :

Secondly, open the words of my text :

And thirdly, delineate the character of a chris-
tian bishop.

The church of England, of which the society of
IMethodists, in general, have, till lately, professed
themselves a part, did, for many years, groan in
America under jxrievances of the lieaviest kind.
Subjected to a hierarchy, which weighs every
tiling in the scale of politics, its most important
interests were repeatedly sacrificed to the supposed
advantages of England. The churches were, in
general, filled with the parasites and bottle com-
panions of the rich and the great. The humble
and most importunate intreaties of the oppressed
flocks, yea, the representation of a general assem-
bly itself,* were contemned and despised; every
thing sacred must lie down at tlie feet of a party,
the holiness and happiness of mankind be sacrificed
to their views: and the di'unkard, the fornicator,
and the extortioner, triumphed over bleeding Zion,
because they were faithful abettors of the ruling
powers. But these intolerable fetters are now '
struck off, and the antichristian union which before
subsisted between church and state, is broken
asunder. One happy consequence of which has
been the expulsion of most of those hii'elings,!
wlio ate the fat and clothed themselves with the
tvool, but strengthened not the diseased, neither
healed that which was sick, neither bound up that

''' The Assembly of Viiginia.

\ I am (leeplf conscious that the observation by no means reaches
to the xcliole body of the clergy of the church of Enj^land. There
Are many of them whose characters I greatly esteeiB, and at whose
feet I should think it on honour to sit.

LIFE OF DR. COKE. 159

which was broken, 7icither brought again that
which was driven away, fieither sought thai which
was lost.*

The parochial churches, in general, being hereby
vacant, our people Avere deprived of the sacraments
through the greatest part of these states, and con-
tinue so still. What method can we take at this
critical juncture? God has given us sufficient
resources in ourselves, and, after mature delibe-
ration, we believe that we are called to di'aw thcni
fortli.

" But what riglit have you to ordain?'' The
same right as most of the reformed churches in
Christendom : our ordination, in its lowest view,
being equal to any of the Presbyterian, as origi-
nating v/ith three presbyters of the chmx'h of
England.

" I3ut v/hat right have you to exercise the epis-
copal office ?" To me the most manifest and clear.
God has been pleased, by Mr. Wesley, to raise u])
in Ainerica and Europe a numerous society, weJi
known by tlie nam^e of Methodists. The A\]iole
body have invariably esteemed this man as then-
chief pastor, under Christ. He has constantly
appointed all their religious officers from the
highest to the lov/est, by himself or his delegate :
and we are fully persuaded, there is no church-
office vv^hich he judges expedient for the welfare of
the people intrusted to his charge, but, as essential
to his station, he has a power to ordain. After
long deliberation, he saw it his duty to form his
society in America into an independent church ;
but he loved the most excellent htiirgy of the
church of England, he loved its rights and cere-
monies, and therefore adopted them in most in-
stances in the present case.

Besides, in addition to this, we have every

* Ezelv. xxxiv. 3, 4.

IGO LIFE OF BR. COKE-

qualification for an episcopal cliurcli, which that
of Alexandria, (a church of no small note in the
primitive times) posses-ed for two hundred years.
Our bishops, or superintendents (as we rather caU
them) having been elected or received by the suf-
frages of the whole body of our ministers through
the continent, assembled in General Conference.

" But don't you break the succession?" The
uninterrupted succession of bishops is a point that
has been long given up by the ablest protestant
defenders of episcopacy. Bishop Hoadley himself,
in his celebrated controversy with Dr. Calam}^
allows it to be imnecessary. His words are — " To
the thirteenth question I answer, that I think not
an uninteT7'upicd line of succession of regularly
ordained bishops necessary."* He also grants the
authenticity of the anecdote given us by St. Je-
rome, which informs us that the church of Alex-
dria, mentioned above, liad no regular succession
from the time of St. Mark, the Evangelist, the
first bishop of that church, to the time of Diony-
sius, a space of two hundred years : but the college
of presbyters, on the death of a bishop, elected
another in his stead. We are also informed from
the epistle of St. Clement to the Corinthians,f
WTitten soon after the death of St. Paul, — a writer
whose works are next in precedence to the canon of
scripture, and probably written by immediate
inspiration — that the church of Corinth was then
governed by a college of presbyters. And from
the epistle of St. Polycarp to the church of Plii-
lippi,! written in tlie year of our Lord 11 G, we
also find that the christian Philippiiuis were tlien
governed only by a college of presbyters. So that

* London Edition, Oct. 1712. p. 48c).

t Clem. Ep. I. Sect. 43, 47, 34, 57. p. 172, 174, 177, 178.

{ Polycarp ad Philip. Salutat. Ssct. 5, 6, 11. p. 186, 188, 189.

LIFE OF DR. COKE. 161

the primitive christians were so far from esteeming
the regvlar succession as essential to the constitu-
tion of a christian churcli, that in some instances
episcopacii itself was wholly omitted.

But of all the forms of church government, we
think a moderate episcopacy the best. The exe-
cutive power being lodged in the hands of one, or
at least a few, vigour and activity are given to tlue
resolves of the body, and those two essential requi-
sites for any grand undertaking are sweetly united
— calmness and wisdom in deUberating ; and in the
executive department, expedition and force.

" But are you not schismatics by your separation
from the church ?" A chiistian church is a hocJy
of professors, who hold \he fundamentals of the
christian religion in doctrine and jjractice. But
we are not ignorant — we cannot be ignorant that
the chief part of the clergy and members of the
church of England, (so called) do either tacitly or
explicitly deny the doctrine of justification by
faith, the knowledge of salvation by the remission
of sins, and the xvitness of the spirit of God, —
points which we esteem most fundamental, yea,
essentially necessary to constitute a child of God.
We are not — we cannot be ignorant, that they
justify as innocent, many of the criminal pleasures
of the world, — card - playing, dancing, theatrical
amusements, &c. — pleasures utterly inconsistent
with union and communion with God. And,
though we admire their liturgy, and are deter-
mined to retain it, with a few alterations, — we
cannot, we will not hold connexion with them,
till the Holy Spirit of God has made them see and
feel the evil of the practices, and the importance
of the doctrines mentioned above. And for this
schism, (if it must have the name) we are cheer-
fully ready to answer at the bar of God.
6. X

1G2 I.IFE OF DR. COKE.

" Why then did yon not separate before ?" It
has long been the desire of the majority of the-
preachers and people. But they submitted to the
superior judgment of jNIr. AVesley, who, till the
revohilion, doubted the propriety of the step.

*' But did not yoin* preachers constantly exhort
the people to attend the service of the church of
England ?" In the general they did, from a full
persuasion, drawn from experience, that we had
no other alternative to preserve our society, but
an adherence to the church of England, which
was totally destitute of real discipline, or a form-
ation of ourselves into an independent church ; and
some of them, perhaps, did this with a degree of
imprudence, which I cannot defend."

Having thus heard what the Doctor had to say
upon this memorable occasion, it is now fair and
candid to hear what some other persons said about
this making of bishops, ai\d constituting a new
episcopal church.

A bishop of some piety said, in reference to
Mr. Wesley's ordaining Dr. Coke a bishop, and
the whole subsequent proceedings — " If a pres-
byter can ordain a bishop, then the greater is
blessed of the less, and not the less of the greater.""
To which Mr. Wesley's biographers. Dr. Coke
and Mr. Moore^ reply — " No, not if Mr. Wesley's
position be true, that they are t/ie same ordc?\
The bishop should have overthrown this position,
(if he could) to have established his own."

An anonymous author, said to be no less a per-
son than Mr. Charles Wesley, published some
*' Strictures on Dr. Coke's Ordination Sermon-,
preached at Baltimore, in the State of Maryland,

1=IFE OF DR, COKE. 163

December 27, 1784." INIr. Charles Wesley was
never partial to Dr. Coke ; and upon tins occasion,
in addition to the '• Strictures," he bestowed a iew
lines of rhyme upon him. But as these would add
nothing to the edification of the reader, I shall
not injure the mem-ory of either of these emi-
nently good and ■useful men by inserting this poetic
effusion. ^To the Strictures Dr. Coke published
an answer. I shall now give the substance botli of
this attack ,and the defence.

The author of the Strictin-es says to tlie Doctor
r — " As an Englishman he condemns the constitu-
tion of his country." Dr. Coke answers — " No-
thing was farther from my thouglits : I am now,
and ever have been fully persuaded, that a mixed
monarchy is abundantly the best for the British
empire, and that nothing is wanting to make our
constitution most perfect in its kind but a more
equal representation of the people, and the disso-
lution of that union which now subsists between
the clmrch and state. I love and reverence his
present majesty, not only as my own sovereign,
but as the best prince, (I believe) upon earth ;
,and I delight to pray for him both in public and
priva^te."

" I say," ad4s the Doctor, " that union which
now subsists between the church and state. / " My
-kingdom is not of this world," is a gospel-axiom
which includes in it the whole of Christianity, and
may be safely used as an infallible touch-stone
whereby the claim of any visible church to piu-e
religion may be tried. On tliis very ground 1
have heard Mr. Wesley confess, yea, even from
the pulpit, that the accession of Constantine to
the throne of the Roman empire, and the conse-
quent union of the church and state, instead of
being " the new Jerusalem come down from hea-
ven," (as some have been pleased to call it,) was

164« LIFE OF DR. COKE.

the greatest curse that ever befel the church of
Christ."—

" One of the greatest incentives to sinister prin-
ciples is an vniion between church and state, which
naturally and almost irresistibly induces the go-
vernment to heap honours and riches on the higher
clergy, and to make the church the engine of the
state. But this is not the only evil : it draws the
attention of the clergy from the important duties
of their office to' the servile pursuit of worldly
greatness ; it shackles, in proportion to its influ-
ence, every free inquiry after rehgious truth ; it
leads mankind to rest on the observance of estab-
lished rites, at the expense of holiness and genuine
piety; and, under the appearance of promoting
unity, love, and peace, lays the foundation of
jealousy, opposition, and faction, in the partial
attention of the government to the members of
the establishment.

" It may be objected, ^^^as not the Jewish
church united to the state by the institution of
God himself? I grant it: but where is there a
similar case ? And all who are in the least degree
acquainted with the history of the Jews, must be
sensible of the dreadful consequences which ensued
on th^ interference of the civil power beyond the
exact line of the scriptiu'es. It was the cause of
almost every public calamity which befel that
unhappy people.

" An union formed by gracious inclinations, and
supported by wholesome impartial discipline, is
the only christian union that is consonant with the
spirit of the gospel. Churches founded on this
basis do naturally encourage the most hberal, tlie
most cathohc sentiments. Their evangelical union
becomes, under God, their glory and their strength,
and is the blessed means of making converts out of
the world, John xvii, 20,23."

I.1FE OF DR. COKE. 165

The author of the Strictures again objected to
Dr. Coke — " As a clergyman, he vilifies his
brethren with the opprobious names of j^arasites
and hirelings." The Doctor answered, " I totally
deny the charge. The persons whom I am there
describing, viz. very many of the American clergy
before the war, Avere not my brethren. Tliey
were never called of God to the ministry, but were
in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of ini-
quity. Fallen as the ministers of the establis])-
tnent in England are, in general, they are incom-
parably to be preferred before the clergy of America
adverted to in my sermon. There were several
among them at whose feet I should think it an
honour to sit ; but, in general, they were as
wretched a set as ever perhaps disgraced the church
of God."

The Strictiuer proceeds — " As a Methodist, lie
contradicts the uniform declarations of the Kev.
J. & C. Wesley, (resiiecting their adiierence to the
church of England) for near lifty years."

To this charge the Doctor answers — " I did
nothing in America but by a delegated power.
received from the Kev. Mr. Wesley, and with this
I am fully satisfied. For a vindication of JMr.
Wesley's conduct I refer the reader to his circular
letter, addi-essed to jMr. Asbmy and me, and the
brethren in North America, and reprinted in the
minutes of the Conference."

The author of the Strictures accused the Doctor
of " charging the preachers in efiect with the
grossest duplicity and hypocrisy, by saying that
they did, in general, constantly exhort the people
to attend the service of the church of England,
from a full persuasion, drawn from experience,
that there was no other alternative to preserve the
society, but an adherence to the church of Eng-
land, or the formation of ourselves into an inde-
pendent church."

166 LIFE OF DR. COKE.

Tlie Doctor defends himself by shewing he was
speaking only of the Methodists in America, and
tiiat so early as the year 177S, the preachers and
people in general in America, were desirous of a
.separation, and took A^ery large strides towards it,
iiui] were only prevented by the opposition and
iictivity of JMr. Asbury, who himself informed the
Doctor tliat lie was not even then against a separa-
tion abstractedly, bnt against tlic mode which was
then taken, the consent and direction of Mr. Wes-
ley having not been procured. They therefore
pursued the only method wliich remained, merely
for the preservation of the society, without any
duplicity or hypocrisy : every other cIuutIi being
united by particular terms of communion, a com-
pliance with which would have drawn them from
their union with tlie ]Methodists ; and i/ie church
of England alone being A'oid of even the shadow
of discipline. Nor do we owe the least degree of
gratitude to the clergy of the church of England,
on this account, for none despised us so thoroughly,
or hated us so perfectly, as tliey did in general.
Nor can I omit, that I have the greatest reason to
believe, from satisfactory information, that not
5000, out at least 100,000 adult hearers who com-
pose our Sunday's congi'egation in that quarter of
the globe, ever attended any other ministry but
ours, the preachers being obliged, from the situa-
tion of the country, to perform divine worship in
the middle of the day, except in three or four of
tlie lars-e towns or cities. Whereas now our con-
gregations universally enjoy our excellent liturgy,
and all the other ordinances, as far as we believe
them fit to partake of them, and every thing that
is truh' excellent in the church of England. Nor
did we lose, to the best of my knowledge, a single
member of our large connexion in that part of the
^vorld by the alteration of our plan."

I.1FE OF DR. COKE. 167

Tlie author of the Strictures next proceeds to
find fatilt witli the characteristics of a bishop, as
given in the hitter part of Dr. Coke's sermon ; to
every part of which the Doctor rephes^ and that
well. But as this part of the sermon is of a general
nature, and has no necessary connexion with the
main question, I will not swell my book by insert-
ing either the objections or replies. Only it ina\-
not be amiss to say, the objections were levelled
cliieiiy against the holiness which the Doctor
Required in a bishop, and the Doctor most tri-
lunphantly defends himself by stating how Mr,
John Wesley advocated the cause of holiness in
sundry of his writings ; and especially how Mr.
Charles Wesley, the author of the Strictures, en-
forced the same in his hymns and poems. As what
Dr. Coke did in ordaining jNIr. Asbury a bishop
brings under observation not only the general
subject of ordination, but more especially the
often mentioned and sometimes boasted iininte}'-
7'Uj)fed succession in the episcopal line, it will not
be unseasonable to give a {qw thoughts upon the
subject.

Bishops, and the great advocates for ejiiscopacy,
plead for a regularly continued succession in the
order from the apostles. But (;ould the point be
ascertained, as to official or ceremonial *appoint-
ment, what would that amount to, if it could be
proved that while there was such an uninterrupted
succession in name and office, the succession had
been often and long interrupted by sin and impiety?
For though a man should be regularly put into
the bishop's office, every way duly qualified, yet
if he should lose his religion, or in other words hi.^
Christianity, what sort ot a christian bishop coidd
he be who had ceased to be a christian ? And
how could he convey to another what he Iiimseh'
had ceased to possess ?

168 LIFE OF DR. COKE.

But admitting the idea, that our modern bishops
might have derived their authority by this unin-
terrupted Kne of succession from the Apostles of
Jesus Christ, let me ask, pray do they mean all
t\iQ apostles collectively, or some one individual
among them ? And if from an individual, pray
what was his name ? Is it from Thomas, the
apostle of the Indies ? Nay this is too far to fetch
it. Was it derived, then, from Matthew, Andrew,
&c. ? No ; this is not pretended. Nor is it pre-
tended to be derived from any appointment or
establishment of the apostle Paul at Antioch, or
of James at Jerusalem. It is, I presume, to be
traced to tlie apostle Peter at Rome. Alas ! that
is the pretended fountain ! But they cannot prove
that ever Peter was at Rome; and if they coidd
prove he had been there, that v^^ould not prove he
had been bishop of Rome; — and if they could
prove he had been bishop of Rome, that would
not prove that he had such special and paramount
power and authority, that no man coidd ever have
any right to the ministerial oiiice, who could not
trace liis ministerial pedigree in regular and unin-
terrupted succession up to himself

But could the church of Rome prove their hneal
descent from Peter, what would tliis do for the
protestant church of England ? The Roman Ca-
thohcs deny that our reformed church cA'^er derived
any authority from them. They say that the
ministers of the church of England are not minis-
ters but laymen ; that the church of England has
no regular bishops or clergy ; and that all their
ministrations are invahd. Our reformers re-
nounced all orders received from Rome, and
disclaimed all the authority of the Pope. And in
those days the papists reproached the reformers
as n]en who possessed no regular and lawful
authoriiy.

LIFE OF DR. COKE. 169

But had tliey derived their authority from the
pope, they might have pleaded that in their de-
fence, instead of saying, as they did, " We defy,
detest, and abhor their stinking, greasy, anti-
christian orders." Bishop Burnet, in his exposi-
tion of the twenty-third article, which is upon
this subject, says, " This article does not resolve
itself into any particular constitution, but leaves
that matter open and at large, for such accidents
as had happened, and such as might still happen.
They who drew it had the state of the several
churches before their eyes, that had been differ-
ently reformed ; and although their own had been
less forced to go out of the beaten path than any
other, yet they knew that all things among them-
selves had not gone according to those imles which
ought to he sacred in regular times ; but necessity
has no law, and is a law to itself."

Now this concession alone, without any addi-
tional argument, is amply sufficient to apologize
for what Mr. Wesley and Dr. Coke did, in the
regulations and ordinations respecting the Ameri-
can Methodists. Besides every defence, derivable
from reason and scripture, it was a matter of neces-
sity. And now, after a trial of thirty years, it
does not appear, that any plan could have been
adopted, that would have answered better, if so
well. Abundant, if not unexampled prosperity,
has attended the Methodists on that vast conti-
nent, ever since Dr. Coke's first visit. So that,
though the first Methodist Society was not formed
there till thirty-one years after Mr. Wesley began
to form Societies in England, and notwithstanding
the comparative smallness of the population, the
Methodists there, both preachers and private n^em-
bers, are already nearly as numerous as in all
Great Britain and Ireland.

6. ir

ITO LIFE OF DB. COKE.

But to give some further idea of America, of
the state of JNIethodism there at that time, as well
as of the active laborioiisness of Dr. Coke, I will
present tlie reader with a little more extract from
his journal. And in this extract we have an
account of one of his many " perils by water," —
the deliverance of which he always most gratefully
remembered.

The American conference was mentioned
before. After the conclusion of it, the Doctor
says : —

I admire the American preachers. We had
near sixty of them present. The whole number
is eiglity-one. They are indeed a body of devoted,
disinterested men, but most of them young. The
spirit in Avhich they conducted themselves in
choosing the elders, was most pleasing. I believe
ihey acted without being at all influenced either
by friendship, resentment, or prejudice, both in
choosing and rejecting. The Lord was peculiarly
present, whilst I v/as preaching my tivo pastoral
serinons. God was indeed pleased to honour me
before the people. At six every morning, one of'
the preachers gave the people a sermon : the wea-
ther was exceedingly cold, and therefore we
thought it best to indulge them by preaching one
liour later than usual ; and our morning congrega-
tions held out to the last.

One of the week-days at noon, I made a col-
lection towards assisting our brethren who are
going to Nova-Scotia ; and our friends generously
contributed fifty pounds currency, (thirty pounds^
sterling.)

3Io7idai/ 3. I left Baltimore, and came to our
good friend JNIr. Gough's, but had the coldest ride
1 ever rode.

Tuesday^. I went with several of my friends,
to the side of the Chesapeak-Bay, but found it

LIFE OF DR. COKE. 171

SO frozen that we could not pass. Here a liospi-
table planter took in and kindly entertained four
of us.

IFcdncsday 5. I returned to Abingdon. —
Brother Dallam had buried his father-in-law that
very day, and his house was full of carnal rela-
tions : so I set up at good Brother Toy's, the sil-
versmith : however, I preached a funeral sermon
in jMr. Dallam's house, and was heard with great
attention. I now gave orders that the materials
should be procured for the erecting of the
college.

Thur.'^day 6. I crossed the Susquehannah-
Hiver, with my horse, on the ice ; and lay at one
of oiu' friends, whose name is Thompson, a truly
good man.

Fridai) 7. We came to one Burton's, a locjd
preacher, formerly a quaker ; he is a precious old
nian, and most fervently loves God.

Philadelphia, Saturday 8 — 19. In this city I
find myself perfectly at home. One thiug worthy

of notice happened here One of our sisters

who belonged to the Dutch church, was particu-
larly prejudiced against our liturgy, but whilst
I was reading it, she received one of the greatest
manifestations of God's love she had ever en-
joyed in her life, and went away as much pre-
judiced in favour of it, as she was before against it.

New- York, Jan. 22 — Feb. 6. Here I pub-
lished, at the desire of the conference, my sermon
on the Godhead of Christ. Our friends in Phila-
delphia and New-York gave me sixty pounds cur-
rency for the Missionaries, so that upon the whole
I have not been obliged to advance above three or
four pounds on their account.

Monday 7. I left New- York ; and on Tuesday
8, reached Trent-Town (State of Jersey.) Here 1
liad but a small congregation, and about twenty
hearers in the morning.

172 LIFE or DR. COKE,

Wednesday 9- I went to Burlington. The
vestry opened to me the church, and some of the
first men in the State came to hear me : Mr.
S — R — formerly one of our travelling preachers,
and a very zealous man, but now a prophesier of
smooth things, has been appointed a reader and
preacher in this church by the convention of
the clergy of the church of England. He ex-
pects to be ordained as soon as they have a
bishop.

JNlount-Holly, Thursday 10. Here is another
preacher appointed by the convention, who was
also formerly one of our travelling preachers, (IMr.
Sprague,) a genuine Christian.

New-Mdls, Friday 11. My congregation in
this chapel was not large, but very serious. Surely
this place will have much to answer for.

Philadelphia, February 12 — 14. They are
now going in reality to repair our chapel here ;
the scaffolding is already put up. I have united
above a hundred, I think, in band, and they seem
to be in good earnest about it, determined to
meet. There is certainly a considerable revival in
this city.

Wilmington, State of Delaware, Tuesday
15. At noon I preached in Chester-Town, in the
court-house, and dined with Mrs. Withey, (the
kind landlady mentioned above, as having enter-
tained me gratis.) She has subscribed five pounds
for the college. In the evening I had a large con-
gregation at Wilmington, and also at fiA^e in the
morning; the work revives in this place. From
hence I went to Duck-Creek ; to Dover (INIr. Bas.-
set's ;) to Brother White's, the justice; to Tuckaho,
(Brother Downs' ;) to Colonel Hopper's ; to Sad-
ler's-cross-roads ; to New-Town ; tiien over the
Chesapeak-Bay to Abingdon, (poor Mr. Dallam*s
wife lies dangerously ill, and liis fondness for her

LirE OF DR. COKE. 173

is such, that lie by no means seems prepai-ed for
the shock of her death ;) from thence to ]\Ir.
Goiigh's ; and then to Balthnore.

Baltimore, February 26, to March 6. The
work of God does indeed prosper in this town.— -
The preaching-house will not contain even my
week-days' congregations ; and at five in the morn-
ing, the chapel is about half full. I think I have
prevailed on our friends in this place to build a new
church. They have already subscribed about five
hundred pounds sterling. I have noAV formed the
believers into bands.

Elcreek, Monday, March 7. I preached in
the church to a tolerable congregation, and in the
evening at the house of Mr. I) — , a chief man in
this neighbourhood, good-natin*ed, but of no reli-
gion. His cousin (Colonel D — ) fears God. The
church of England peoj)le in America, have a vile
custom of walking out and in during divine ser-
vice. I have now no engagements upon my hands
for between two and three hundi*ed miles, so i
must post on as fast as I can.

Blaidensburg, Tuesday, March 8. This day
I lost my way in the woods, and after riding ten
miles out of my road, found out a hospitable
tavern-keeper, who entertained me and my horse
gratis.

Wednesday, Marcli 9. In my riding this
morning to Alexandria, (Virginia) through the
woods, I have had one of the most romantic scenes
that ever I beheld. Yesterday there was a very
heavy fall of snow, and hail, and sleet. The fall
of sleet was so great, that the trees seemed to be
trees of ice. So beautiful a sight of the kind I
never saw before.

And now I am going to open a solemn scene
indeed! May God deeply impress it on my heart.
We had this day a very sudden thaw. I had t''.ro

174 LIFE OF DR. COKE.

nms of water, (as they are called) to cross between
Alexandria and Colchester, which swell exceed*
ingly on any thaw or fall of rain ; but being ear-
nestly desirous to get into the work, I determined
to proceed on my journey. My servant, whom I
had permitted to make a \dsit to his wife on the
other side of the Chesapeak-bay, had deceived me,
by staying with her beyond his time; and the
southern preacliers knew not where I was, imagin-
ing me to be in the West Indies. A friend who
lives in Alexandria, came with me over the first
run, and every body informed me 1 could easily
cross the second, if I crossed the fii'st. When I
came to the second (which was perhaps two hours
after I crossed the first) I found that I had two
streams to pass. The first I went over without
much danger ; but in crossing the second, which
was very strong and very deep, I did not observe
that a tree brought down by the flood, lay across
the landing-place. I endeavoured, but in vain, to
drive my horse against the stream and go round
the tree. I was afraid to turn my horse's head to
the stream, and afraid to go back. In this dilemma
I thought it most prudent for me to lay hold on
the tree, and go over it, the water being shallow
on the other side of the tree. But I did not advert
to the dano^er of loosening; the tree from its hold.
For no sooner did I execute my purpose so far ai?
to lay hold of the tree, (and that instant the horse
was carried from under me,) but the motion that I
gave it, loosened it, and down the stream it in-
stantly carried me. Some distance off, there gi'ew
a tree in the middle of the stream, the root of
which had formed a little bank or island, and
divided the stream ; and here the tree which I held,
was stopped. Instantly there came do^vn with the
flood a large branch of a tree upon my back, which
was so heavy, that I was afraid it would break my

I.I^E OF DR. COKE, 175

back. I was noAv jammed up for a considerable
time (a few minutes appeared long at such a sea-
son) expecting that my strength w^ould soon be
exhausted, and I should drop between the tree
and the branch. Here I pleaded aloud with God
in good earnest ; one promise which I particularly
urged, J remember well, Lo, I tvill be with you
alway, even to the end of the "world. I felt no
fear at all of the pain of dying, or of death itself,
or of hell, and yet I found an unwillingness to die-
All the castles which I had built in the air for the
benefit of my fellow-creatures, passed in regular
array before my mind, and I could not consent to
give them up. It was an awful time \ However,
through the blessing of my Almighty preserver,
^to whom be all the glory,) I at last got my knee,
which I long endeavoured at in vain, on the tree
which I gTasped, and then soon disengaged myself,
and climbed up the little bank. Here I panted
for breath for some time ; and when I recovered,
perceiving the water between the little island and
the shore not to be very deep or veiy strong, I
ventured through it, an(J got to land. I was now
obliged to walk about a mile, shivering, before I
came to a house. The master and mistress weix?
from home, and were not expected to return that
night. But the principal negro lent me an old
ragged shirt, coat, waistcoat, breeches, &c. and the
negroes made a large fire, and hung my clothes
up to dry all night. Before bed time, a man, who
came to the run on a small horse, and perceived
Tame near the brook, concluded the rider was
drowned, and wanting to cross the stream on
lU'gent business, mounted my horse, and being
well acquainted with the run, came over safe : he
then perceived the footsteps of a person on tlie
side of the water, and concluded they were made
by the person to whom the horse belonged : and

176 LIFE OF DR. COKE.

following the track, brought horse and bags safe
to me. As he seemed to be a poor man, I gave
him half-a-guinea. At night I lay on a bed on the
ground, and my strength having been so exhausted,
slept soundly all the night. Thus was I wonder-
fully preserved, and I trust shall never forget so
awlul, but very instructive a scene.

On Thursday, I got to Fredericksburg, a
very wicked, ungodly town. I began now to find
that I could say with the apostle, " I know how
to want, and how to abound :" for I had advanced
so much money to pay for the minutes of the con-
ference, the sermon on the Godhead of Christ,
and towards the binding of the prayer-books, that
my finances were grown very low, and travelling
is very dear in America. This evening as I was
on the road, I asked a man the way, and whether
there was any inn near ; he told me there was one
on the other side of the wood, and he was the
landlord. I found him a decent man, and gave
him some little books, and he gave me entertain-
ment for myself and my horse gratis.

Saturday 12. By enquiring at the plantations,
I found out an old gentlewoman^ who formerly
received the preachers. But they have left that
county (King William's) on account of the little
good they did there. Here I staid all night,
although I had made but two-thirds of a day's
journey. 1 believe it may be well to try the
county once more. This morning I called at a
plantation to procure intelligence about the road.
The mistress of the house perceived something
in me, I suppose, of her own spirit, and desired
me to alight. I found she was a real seeker after
salvation.

Sunday 13. I was obliged to travel the whole
Lord's-day in order to reach my appointed engage-
ments. At dinner-time I found out another old

LIFE OF DR. COKE. 177

gentlewoman, who desired me to alight, and gave
tne and my horse very good entertainment : she is
a mourner in Zion. In the evening I reached
Williamsburg, after hiniting in vain for one of
oiur friends who lives within five miles of it. On
enquiring of my landlady whether there were any
IMethodists in the town, she informed me fhat one
of the principal men in the town was a Methodist.
I called upon him but found that he w^as a good
.old PresbyteriaiL However, when I apologized
for my mistake, and was retiring, he insisted on
my staying at his house, and sent for my horse.
He loves God.

Monday 14. I reached Smithfield. Tlie in-,
numerable large ferries in this country make tra-
velling very expensive, and tliey charge three
shillings sterling for a night's, fodder and corn for
a horse. But it is not so dear in the north.

Portsmouth, Virginia, Tuesday 15. I got
into my work, blessed be God, (having only part
of a dollar left,) and preached here to an attentive
but chiefly unawakened congregation, and bap-
tized.

Wednesday 16. I arrived at Brother Jolly's, at
whose house I preached to a little congregation, and
took up my lodging that night at the house of a
neighbouring gentleman, of much candour, but
no religion.

Thursday 17. I preached at (what they call)
the Brick-»church, belonging to the church of
England, or rather at present to us, as we perform
regular duty there every other Sunday. The peo-
ple in general in this neighbourhood seem very
dead ; but our friends, I believe, found it a toler-
able good time at the sacrament. After duty I
went to sister Kelsick's, a widow, and a most
excellent woman. She has considerable property.
6. z

178 LIFE OF DR. COKE.

The wliole family indeed, wliich is numerous,
seems all awakened.

Friday 18. I preached at JMojock, to a small
congregation. I have now found out a secret. —
My plan was to cross over from the West-Indies
to Portsmouth, and to take the circuit in which I
am now engaged; and this plan was given last
conference to the respective assistants whom it
concerned. But Brother Morris (the only preacher
in this circuit) neglected to publish me, so that
the people have hardly had any notice ; for which
reason, I suppose, my congregations will be com-
paratively smaU throughout the circuit. Indeed,
lie has committed a much worse neglect than this :
for he has not preached in most parts of the circuit
these two months, and in some places not these
ten weeks, although the people have regularly
attended at the accustomed times, and gone away
like fools. His wife, it seems, has expected her
time these ten weeks, and he cannot leave her till
she lies in. After preaching I went to Colonel
Williams's, who is an excellent christian, and a
true friend to the cause. If it liad not been for
his activity I suppose nobody would have known
of my coming.

Coenjock, Saturday 19. I preached in apretty
chapel, which I believe belongs to the church of
England; but we do regular duty in it. The
congregation wa« not large.

Sandy-Hook-Church, Sunday, March 20. —
Here we had a tolerable number, owing to our
friends riding out of the way to inform the people
from place to place, but there was no preparation
for the sacrament in any of these places, the notice
being so short, and in general, so uncertain. I
rode after preaching to one Colonel Burgess's. —
His lady is a truly pious woman.

Pasquataiik, Monday 21. I had not been

LIFE OF DR. COKE. 179

published here. Hovrever, I collected about
thirty, and gave them a sermon in the Court-house.
The swearing, drinking landlord would charge me
nothing for my entertaiinnent. His wife has good
desires. From hence I rode to Nixon-town,
where as before I had not been published. They
gathered together a tolerable congregation for me,
to whom I gave a sermon in the evening. But
the people in this country are so scattered, that
the notice must be very public, otherwise, they
cannot attend. So much for JMr. Morris's circuit.
I lay this night at one Mrs. Adams's, a widow-
lady of fortune, who has not yet joined the
society.

Tuesday 22. I rode to the Rev. Mx. Petti-
grew's. He is gone to the West Indies for his
health : but Mrs. Pettigrew received me very
kindly.

JVednesday 23. I went to Edington, a most
wicked place. Here Mr. Pettigrew preaches ; but
the church is like a pig-stie. The people in gene-
ral seemed to prefer the Court-house, which is an
elegant place ; so I went there and preached to a
very large congregation. The preachers ought
really to take this place into their plan, and there
is a person who will receive them. There seemed
nothing but dissipation and wickedness in the ta-
vern at which I set up, and yet the landlord would
take nothing for my entertainment. In the after-
noon I went with Brother Dameron, one of our
preachers who came to meet me, to JNIrs. Boyd's,
a widow lady, who rode to Edington to hear me.
She lives about seven miles on my way, and lias
good desires.

Thursday 24. I arrived at Colonel CampbcFs;,
in North Carolina, the gentleman and the christian
imited. He sat in the senate of this state as loii|f
as he chose, and I baVe been persuading him to

180 LIFE 01 DR. COKE/

resume his seat. He is the first of our friends in
the upper house, that I liave met with. I am
vastly pleased with him. On the 25th I preached
in the parish-chiu'ch, in which we do regular duty ;
but alas ! religion is at a very low ebb in this
neighbourhood.

Saturdaij 2Q. I preached in the house of one

IMr. L , a rich man, but of no religion. We

usually preach in the church. But he has the
gout, and therefore requested me to preach in his
liouse, which is large. It was really a profitable
time.

St. John's Chapel, Sun day 27. This belongs
to the church of England, and we do regular duty
in it. I preached here to an attentive people, and
administered the Lord's Supper.

Bridge's Creek Church, 3Iondny 28. This
also belongs to the church of England, and we
do duty in it whenever we please. I had a large
congregation, but our friends thoughtlessly neg-
lected to provide tlie elements for the Lord's-
Supper. I have been travelling in a very low
wet country for these three v/eeks, and it is aston-
ishing what a number of frogs there are here.

Tuesday 29. I preached at the house of An-
thony Moore, an Israelite indeed, in whom there
is no guile. The Lord has not been, I think,
more present with me since I came to America,
than he was this day.

Roanoak Chapel, Wednesday 30. I found in
this chapel, a serious, attentive people. Here I
met wdth Mr. Jarrat. After duty he went with
me to one Brother Seaward's, (in tlie state of Vir-
ginia) about eight miles oiF. We now talked
largely on the minutes concerning slavery ; but
lie would not be persuaded. The secret is, he has
twenty -four slaves of his own ; but I am afraid
lie will do infinite hurt by his opposition to oiu*
rules.

LirE OF DK COKE. 18X

Thursday 31. I came to one Isliam Maloiie^s,
and preached in his dwelling-house, where v/e
had an excellent time, especially at the sacrament.
In the afternoon I rode to Brother Jordan's, who
lent me a fresh horse, and will meet me at a place
about forty miles off on my return from the south
in about three weeks time, which will save my
horse about four hundred miles.

Pridmj, Ajyril 1. I preached in a chapel be-
longing to Isaac Johnson. I now begin to venture^
to exhort our societies to emancipate their slaves.

Saturday 2. At noon I preached in the dwel-
ling-house of Brother Downing, a man of pro-
perty, and v/e had considerable refreshments
at the sacrament. Sister Downing is a blessed
woman.

Sunday 3. We crossed a dangerous ford,
where a man was lately drowned. The river
was rather full, but I followed the foremost,
and my company and self got safe over. I
preached at noon at the house of Brother
Almond.

Tuesday 5. I rode to Sister Bedford's. Here
1 dared for the first time to bear a public testimony
against slavery, and I do not find that more than,
one was offended. On Wednesday 6, I preached
the late Colonel Bedford's funeral sermon. But
I said nothing good of him, for he was a Aiokiit
friend of slavery, and his interest being great
among the Metliodists in these parts, he would
have been a dreadful thorn in our sides, if the
Lord had not in mercy taken him away.

Thursday 7. I went some miles to a dying
friend, and s]}ent about half the day with him in
drawing up his will, in which he emancipates r.t
the times there specified his eight slaves. This is
a good beginning. In the evening I crossed o^ er

182 LIFE OF DR. COKE.

a dangerous run of water, and lay at the house of
Brother Ward.

Friday 8. According to my plan I was to
preach in a church called Royster's church at noon.
After riding about twenty -live miles, I got, as I
found afterwards, within a furlong of the church ;
but the church being out of sight in an immense
forest, and the path which led to it hardly trod-
den, and having no guide, (the person who was to
accompany me, having disappointed me) I rode
about eighteen miles more, backwards and for-
wards, generally on the full stretch, and found at
last by the direction of a planter, whose planta-
tion was the only one I saw for some hours. —
When I came there, which was two hours after
the time, there was nobody to be seen. I re-
turned to the planter's, who gave me and my
horse some refreshment, and recommended me to
go to one Captain Philips, a Methodist, about five
miles off. After travelling till nine at niglit, and
expecting frequently I should be obliged to take
up my lodging in the woods, with the assistance
of two negroes and two shillings, I found out the
house. I now was informed that I had not been
published in Roysters' church, or any part of that
circuit, the two preachers not having been at the
last conference, and the neighbouring preachers
not having sent them a copy of my plan. How-
ever our Brother Philips and his family and several
other friends intended to set off the next morning
for a quarterly-meeting about sixteen miles dis-
tant. Their quarterly-meetings on this continent
are much attended to. The brethren for twenty
miles round, and sometimes for thirty or forty,
meet together. The meeting always lasts two
days. All the travelling preachers in the circuit
are present, and they, with perhaps a local preacher

LIFE OF DK. COKE. 183

or two, give the people a sermon one after ano-
ther, besides the love-feast, and (now) the sacra-
ment. On Saturday 9. I set off with the friends
to Brother Martin's, in whose barn I preached that
day. The next day I administered the sacrament
to a large company, and preached, and after me
the two travelling preachers. We had now been
six hours and a half engaged in duty, and I had
published myself to preach in the neighbourhood
for the three following days, so they deferred the
second love-feast till Wednesday. There were
thirty strangers, I think, in Brother Ivlartin's
house only, which obhged us to lie three in a bed.
I had now for the first time a very little persecu-
tion. The testimony I bore in this place against
slave-holding, provoked many of the imawakened
to retire out of the barn, and to combine together
to flog me (so they expressed it) as soon as I came
out. A high-headed lady also went out, and told
the rioters (as I was afterwards informed) that she
would give fifty pounds, if they would give that
little Doctor one hundred lashes. When I came
out, they surrounded me, but had only power to
talk. Brother Martin is a justice of tlie peace,
and seized one of them ; and Colonel Taylor, a
fine, strong man, w^ho has lately joined us, but is
only half-awakened, was setting himself in a pos-
ture of fighting. But God restrained the rage of
the multitude. Our Brother Martin lias tlone
gloriously, for he has fully and immediately eman-
cipated fifteen slaves. And that sermon which
made so much noise, has so affected one of our
brethren (Brother Norton) that he came to Brother
Martin, and desired him to draw up a proper
instrument for tlie emancipation of his eight slaves.
A brother (whose name is Ragland) has also eman-
cipated one.

Monday 11. I preached at Brother B^ikcr's,

184 LIFE OF DR. COKE,

Jrlcre a mob came to meet me with staves and
cliibs. Their plan, I beUeve, was to fall upon me
as soon as I touched upon the subject of slavery.
I knew nothing of it till I had done preaching ;
but not seeing it my duty to touch on the subject
here, their scheme was defeated, and they suf-
fi?red me to pass througli them without moles*
tation.

Tuesday 12. I rode to Brother Kennon's,
preaching a funeral sermon in the way at a plau"
ter's house for a little child, and reading our burial
service in the wood over the grave. They have a
funeral sermon preached in these parts for every
human creature that dies, except the Blacks. —
Brother Kennon has emancipated twenty-two
slaves. These are great sacrifices ; for the slaves
are worth, I suppose, upon an average, thirty or
forty pounds sterling each, and perhaps more.

Wednesday Vd. I had a good time at the love-
feast after preaching at Brother Kennon's-. Brother
IMartin's wife is an excellent saint.

Thursday 14. We rode about forty miles to
a brother of Mr. Kennon. There are nine of the
family in society. I have now done with my tes-
timony against slavery for a time, being got into
North Carolina again, the laws of this state for-
bidditig any to emancipate their Negroes. Friday
15. I preached here to a small cx)ngregation.

Saturday 16. I rode to a dissenting meeting-
house, in which the pious minister (Mr. Patillo)
gave our friends leave to hold their quarterly-
meeting. Mr. Patillo and 1 preached that day
iind Sunday, and one of our preachers also on the
J^unday.

Mojiday 18. 1 rode to Colonel^aylors, a sin.-
«Te friend and brother, who is overjoyed at our
late regulations. They got a httle company toge-
ther in the evenincf.

LIFE OF DR. COKE* 185

Tuesday 19. We came to Brother Greenliill's,
wluere we held our conference. There were about
twenty preachers, or more, in one house, and by
laying beds on the floors, there was room for all.
We spent three days, from Wednesday to Friday
inclusive, in conference, and a comfortable time
we had together. In this division we have had an
increase of nine hundred and ninety-one this year ;
and have stretched our borders into Georgia. —
Beverley Allen has all Georgia to range in. We
also sent an elder and a preacher to South Carolina.
Mr. Asbury has met with great encouragement in
his visit to Charles Town ; a merchant (Mr. Wells)
opened his house to him, and was convinced and
justified before he went away. We have now one
hundred and ten members in that state by the assi-
duity of a local preacher, who lately settled there.
We have also drawn up a petition to the general
assembly of North Carolina, signed by the con-
ference, intreating them to pass an act to autho-
rize those who are so disposed, to emancipate their
slaves. Mr. Asbury has visited the governor, and
has gained him over.

Mecklenburg County, Virginia, Saturday
23. We rode about forty-five miles to Brother
Tignel Jones's, to a quarterly-meeting which we
held on the Sunday and JNIonda} \ Here I bore a
pubHc testimony against slavery, and ha\^e found
out a method of dehvering it wivliout much
offence, or at least without causing a tumult ; and
that is, by first addressing the negroes in a very
pathetic manner on the duty of servants to masters;
and then the whites will receive quietly what I
have to say to them. Sister Jones is a very pre-
cious woman. I had a fine congregation at five on
JNIonday morning. The people in general in this
part of the country, and also in the back parts of
Korth Carolina, eat only two meals a day ; the first
6. A A

186 LIFE OF Dli. COKE.

about nine in the morning, and the second about
four or live in the afternoon. They eat flesh at
both meals. Our people in general drink coffee
with the first meal, and water with the second. —
The people of the world di'ink either eoftee or
cyder with the first meal, and grog or cyder
with the second. Tlieir animal food is almost
entirely pig-meat, with sometimes shad-fish. I
have hardly eat any thing these ten weeks of the
flesh kind, except swine"s-fiesh and shad-fish. —
Blessed be God, I have been enabled to set apart
Friday as a day of fasting or abstinence ever since
Christmas, except one day when I forgot, and one
day when I travelled fifty-two miles. In the
morning I eat a little bread, and diink some milk,
and in the afternoon eat some greens, (the only
garden-stuff" they have got in this part of the
coimtry) and some fruit-pie. They have a gi*eat
variety of fruit-pies, peach, apple, pear, and cran-
berry, and puddings very often. I esteem it one
great blessing, that I prefer the Indian corn to
the wheat. Besides they do not in general manage
their wheat properly in the south, so that the
wheat-bread is but very indifferent. The people
in general, and more especially our own friends,
go to bed very early (about nine o'clock) and rise
early, about five, or day-break.

Tuesday 26. I again visited kind Brother
Downing, and preached that day, and the next
morning at five. On Wednesday I set off* for the
quarterly -meeting at Brother Rogers's, in Bruns-
wick County, and had a very refreshing time ; in
the way I preached nn awakening discourse, which,
1 have some reason to think did good.

Saturday 30. I set off* with a company of
preachers, who by this time had met me, for the
Virginia conference. In the morning I preached
and administered the sacrament at Brother Merrit's.

LIFE OF DR. COKE. 187

Sunday, May 1 — 4. About twenty preachers
■jnet Mr. Asbiiry and me at Brother Mason's. One
night we all slept at the same house ; but it was
so inconvenient for some of the preachers, that
they afterwards divided themselves througli the
neighbouring plantations, by which we lost about
an hour in the mornings. A great many principal
friends met us here to insist on a repeid of the
slave-rules; but when they found tliat we had
thoughts of withdniwing ourselves entirely from
the circuit on account of the violent spirit of some
leading men, they drew in their horns and sent us
a very humble letter, intreating tliat preachers
might be appointed for their circuit. AVe have
increased about two Inmdred in this division in the
course of the last year. After mature considera-
tion, we formed a petition, a copy of which was
given to every preacher, intreating the general
assembly of Virginia to pass a law for the imme-
diate or gradual emancipation of all the slaves. —
It is to be signed by all the freeholders we can
prociu'e, and those I believe will not be few. There
have been many debates already on the subject in
tJie assembly. IMany of our friends, and some of the
great men of the states, have been inciting us to ap-
ply for acts of incorporation, but I have discouraged
it, and have prevailed. We have a better staff to
lean upon, than any this world can afford. We
can truly say, " The harvest is great, but the
labourers are few/'

Thursday 6. I took an affectionate furewel of
my brethren : and on the 7th passed by the house
of JNIr. Jarrat, that violent assertor of the pro-
priety and justice of negro-slavery. At noon I
preached at White Oak Chapel, ajid lodged that
night at the house of Brother Rees, one of our
}ocal preachers, a friend of God and man. He
lives just by JNIr. Jan-at, and is the great bar in

188 LIFE OF DR. COKE.

the hands of God to that fallen man's mining our
whole work in that neighbourhood. For his influ-
ence among those who are both within and with-
out, is I believe three times as great as that of
any other.

On the 8th I preached at ten in the morning
at Brother Spain's, and at six in the CA^ening at
Brother JMann's. On Sunday, the 9th, I preached
at Brother Grange's, and Brother Finney's, Bro-
ther Finney is one of our Committee, whom we
have appointed to conduct our business relative to
our petition to the general assembly. He is a
good local preacher, and a man of fortune and
family, an honour to our connection. On Monday^
the 9th, I preached at Brothers Briscoe's and John-
son's ; and on Tuesday, the 10th, at Brothers Ogee's
and Bansford's.

On Wednesday 11, I rode through the heavy
rains to a church in a forest, where 1 was engaged
. to preach. Every body told me that no one would
come — that no one would imagine I would attend
on such a day. And I found it true : so after
being wetted to the skin, and the very linen in my
saddle-bags drenched with rain, we rode (Brother
Bowen, the preacher who travelled with me
through this circuit, and myself) to the house of
a kind physician, who gave us a very hospitable
reception. On Thursday, the 12th, I preached
in a church about fifteen miles from the place
where I had lodged, to a considerable and attentive
congregation.

Friday 13. I preached at Bent Chapel,
belonging to the church of England. At night I
lodged at the house of Captain Dillard, a most
hospitable man, and as kind to his negroes as if
they were white servants. It was quite pleasing
lo see them so decently and comfortably clothed.
And 3'et I could not beat into the head of that

LIFE OF DR. COKE. 189

poor man the evil of keeping them in shu^ery,
although he has read IVIr. Wesley's thoughts on
slavery, (I think he said) th'ee times over : but his
good wife is strongly on our side.

Saturday and Sunday 14 and 15. I preached
in a handsome church. On the Sunday I had a
very large congregation. During the sermon,
after I had spoken very pointedly concerning tlie
impropriety of going in and out during divine
service, two dressy girls walked out with such an
impudent air, that I rebuked them keenly. After
the public service, whilst I was administering the
sacrament, baptizing, and meeting the society, their
father, who \s> a colonel, raged at tlie outside of tlie
church, declaring that as soon as I came out, he
would liorse-whip me for the indignity shewn to
his family. But his two brothers (all unawakened)
took my part, and insisted that I had done my
dut3i:, and the young ladies deserved it. Ho^v-
ever, finding that our preaching in that church,
which we do regularly, chiefly depends rpon him,
I wrote a letter of apology to him as far as the
trutli would permit, when I came to my lodging.
We had a good time diu'ing the sermon and the
saci^ment. But when I enlarged to the society
on negro-slavery, the principal leader raged like a
lion, and desired to withdraw from the society. 1
took him at his word, and appointed that excellent
man (Brother Skelton) leader in his stead. When
the society came out of the church, they sur-
rounded Brotlier Skelton, " And will you," said
they, " set your slaves at liberty ?" (He has
many slaves) *' Yes," says he, " I believe I shall."
I lodged that night with dear Brotlier Skelton.

Monday 16. I preached to a most polite con-
gregation at New Glasgow, and lodged at Cole n el
M — 's. They gave me great attention. Colonel
M — is a very sensible, and polite man. He

190 LIFE QF DR. COKE.

acknowledged the force of my arguments concern-
ing tlie negroes, but (I evidently saw) did not choose
to take any active part for fear of losing his popu-
larity. His son is a member of the house of dele-
gates, and he wants himself to get into the senate.
His lady wislies to be religious. On Tuesday the
17th, 1 preaclied in a Court-house at noon, but in
a. very wicked neighbourhood. However the con-'
gregation gave me their ear, while I endeavoured
to sliew them the necessity of the new-birth. At
four in the afternoon I preached at one JNIr. L — 's,
a drunkard. The preachers find this a convenient
half-way house ; so they take it in their way out
of a kind of necessity. How strange it is that so
many will do any thing for the cause of religion,
but part with their besetting sin. I now was
met by our dear valuable friend Dr. Hopkins. —
He brought me that evening to his house, though
it was dark before we reached it. Here I found
myself locked up in the midst of mountains. So
romantic a scene, I think I never beheld. The
wolves, I find, frequently come to our friend's
fences at night, howling in an awful manner ; and
sometimes they seize upon a straying sheep. At
a distance was the Blue llidge, an amazing chain
of mountains. I have been for a considerable time
climbing up and descending the mountains. I
prefer this country to any other part of America :
it is so like Wales, my native country. And it is
far more populous than I expected. On Wednes-
day, the 18th, I preached at the Doctor's to a little
loving congregation, and administered the sacra-
ment ; and the Lord was with us.

Thursday 19- I preached to a quiet, unawak-
ened congregation, at Brother Tandy Key's, who
is lately come into that neighbourhood. He told
me as we rode together, that he was determined
to em.ancipate his slaves (about twenty) although

LIFE OF DPv. coicr:. 191

Ills miserable father, I suppose, will never give

him any farther assistance, if he does. I pushed

on in the evening, with an intention of reaching

his father's, ^Ir. ^lartin Key's ; but at nine o'clock

at night was glad to take up my lodgings at a

tavern, in a little town, called Charleville, more

especially as I had a dangerous river to cross before

I could get to Mr. Key's. Nor am I sorry that I

did not go thither : for when I called there the

next morning, I found he had shut his door against

the preachers, because he has eighty slaves. For

some years, I think, we preached at his house. —

His youngest son is a local preacher, and I believe,

soon wdll take a larger field. His eldest son is a

child of Satan, and therefore, I suppose, will liave

all his possessions ^vhen he dies. I drank a little

milk here, (it being Friday) and before I went

away, cleared myself of the blood of the old man,

which, I evidently perceived, not a little pleased

his pious wife.

Friday 20. I preached at Brother Grimes's,
where I had many dressy people to hear me:
and at five the next morning had a very good con-
gregation.

Sahtrday 21. I preached at a chapel in a
forest, which we call the New Chapel, and admin-
istered ihe sacrament, • and was here met by our
valuable friend Brother Hr rry Fry, one of tht:
members for Culpepper County. Our society is
not numerous in that county, and they long, but
in vain, solicited him to become a candidate. At
last, a little before the election, he consented, and
he and' his colleague out-polled the other candi-
dates, though supported by most of the principal
gentry in the county ; which enraged them to tliat
degree, that they were almost mad. One of tlseni
cried out at the poll-booth, " These Methodists
and Baptists will ne^ er rest till they get their

192 LIFE OF DR. COKE.

knives into our beiliGs." On Sunday 22, I read
prayers, preached, and administered the sacrament
in Air. Fry's great room, which he had built for a
ball-room. Bat, I think, before he had used it
for one ball, the Lord caught hold of liis heart,
and he tui-ned it into a preaching-room. He is a
precious man, and, I trust, will be eloquent in
the house of delegates for the emancipation of the
slaves. He is to present our petition.

Monday 23. After the falling of heavy rains,
I set off with one of the preachers for . Alexan-
andria. This day I met with many difficulties.
In crossing the water in one place, that I might
reach the bridge under which the main stream ran,
the water was above the top of my boot. In
another place where we endeavoured to drive our
horses over the run (the bridge being broke) we
were Ukely to lose our beasts, the stream being too
strong for them, and carrying them down. At
last wc got them out, and with great labour and
some danger, patched up the broken bridge with
the loose boards, and got over with our horses safe.
After riding about forty miles, it gi-ew so dark,,
and our horses and selves were so fatigued, that
w^e lay at an inn upon the road, though we were
within five miles of our friend's house where we
intended to lodge.

Tuesday 24. We were locked up by the
waters, so much rain having fallen the night before.
We arrived however, at Brother Watson's, a local
preacher, and he procured for me a Httle con-
gregation.

On Jf'ed?icsday, the 25th, I set off again : and
after many doubts, and I confess, with trembhng,
was prevailed upon to walk over a long pine-tree,
which lay across a strong and deep stream of water,
in which I must have been inevitably drowned,
if my foot had slipped. A man went before.

LIFE OF DR. COKE. 193

leading me by the hand. But here, as ever}^ where,
tlie Lord v/as at my right hand, that I should not
fall. On this day I crossed the very same run of
water in the afternoon, where the awful scene
happened, which, I trust, through the blesshig of
God, I shall never forget.. We dined at a friend's,
lioiise by the way, and reached Brother Bushby's,
at Alexandria, about seven in the evening. Here
I met according to appointment that dear, valua-
ble man, Mr. Asbury. He had informed the peo-
ple, that when I arrived the Court-house bell
should ring, and about eight o'clock I had a very
large congregation in tlie Dissenting Meeting-house,
to whom I insisted on the necessity of the witnes?
of the Spirit.

Thursday 26. Mr. Asbury and I set off for
General Washington's. We were engaged to dine
there the day before. The General's seat is very
elegant, built upon the great river Potomawk ; for
the improvement of the navigation of which, he
is carrying on, jointly with the state, some amazing
plans. He received us very politely, and was very
open to access. He is quite the plain, country-
gentleman. After dinner we desired a private
interview, and opened to him the grand business
on which we came, presenting to him our petition
for the emancipation of the negroes, and intreat-
ing his signature, if the eminence of his station
did not render it inexpedient for him to sign any
petition. He informed us that he was of our sen-
timents, and had signified his thoughts on the sub-
ject to most of the great men of the state : tliat
he did not see it proper to sign the petition, but
if the assembly took it into consideration, he
would signify his sentiments to the assembly by a
letter. He asked us to spend the evening and
lodge at his house, but our engagement at Anna-
7 B b - ,

104 ■ LIFE or DR. COKfi.

pt)lis the following day would not admit of it.— ^
^Ve returned tliat eVeninij to Alexandria, where
at eight o'clock, after the bell was rung, I had a very
considerable conorco-ation.

Friday 27. JMr. Asbury and I rode to Anna-
polis, in the state of IVIaryland, where the general
court (the supreme court of judicature of the
state) was sitting. This prevented my preaching
in the Coin-t-house. However I had a noble con-
m-egation in the Play-house, and most of the great
lawyers to hear me. And, surprising ! the fine
ladies and gentlemen attended at five the next
morning, so that I had one of the largest morning
congregations that I have had in America. We
have no regidar preaching here yet, but I trust
shall soon see good days. One lady was so desir-
ous of my coming that she sent word to ISIr. Asbtiry
that she would advance two guineas for a carriage
to bring me there from Alexandria ; but that I
did not accept of.

On the 28th, we reached our kind friend IMr.
Gough's, having spent a few hours in Baltimore,
and travelled about fifty miles.

Sunday 29. I preached and administered the
sacrament at the Fulls, as it is called, our church
being built near a great full of water. It was the
quarterly -meeting. We returned to JMr. Gough's,
where I preached in the evening.

Mwiday 30. We rode to Abingdon, where
we agreed to give JMr. Dallam sixty pounds ster-
ling for four acres of ground, which we had fixed
upon as the site of our college, and had proper
bonds drawn up. We returned in the evening to
!Mr. Gough's.

Tuesday 31. We rode to Baltimore, where I
endeavoured in the evening to shew the people the
necessity of union with Christ.

Wednesday t June 1. We opened our confer-

I4FE OF DR, COKE. 195

ence. As 1 expected to sail the next day, my
brethren were so kind as to sit in the conference
till midnight. I endeavoured to shew them at
noon the necessity of being faithful to the minis-
try of the word. We thought it prudent to sus-
pend the minute concerning slavery, on accoimt of
the great opposition that had been given it, our
work being in too infantile a state to push tilings
to extremity. However, we were agreeably
informed that several of our friends in JNlaryland
had already emancipated their slaves.

2Viin^i;day 2. I met my brethren early in tlie
morning, and at eleven o'clock endeavoured to
enforce St. Paul's awful exhortation to the elders
of the church of Ephesus, ^*icts xx.

And now 1 took my leave of my friends, and
set out in a boat for the ship Olive-liranch, whicli
had sailed down the river the day before, and of
which I got on board in the evening. In my
younger days, one of the greatest afflictions in
life to me, during tlie time it lasted, v/as to be torn
away from my friends whom I dearly loved. This,
tbrough the extensiveness of my acquaintance,
and the constant change of my place of abode,
and partly perhaps through the grace of God, has
of late years considerably worn away. But I
think for many years I have not felt myself so
effeminate (shall I call it?) as I did on parting
with my American brethren, the preachers : and
the sensation continiied very paii)ful for a consi-
derable time after I left them, jf*

From Friday, June 3, to Sunday 12. All
this time we have been sailing about seventy leagues,
having been locked up for five days in a place
called JMoxat-Bay. However this delay gave me
gn opportunity of writing forty or fifty letters to
my friends on the continent. There is no other
passenger in the ship, so that I have the stale-roam

196 LIFE OF DR. COKE.

always to myself, and the cabin most part of the
day. It is a blessed opportunity for fellowship
with God and the improvement of my mind. O
that I may husband it accordingly ! That I may
return to England in the fulness of the blessing
of the gospel of Christ.

Here, perhaps, I ought to apologize for giv-
ing so large an extract from the Doctor's journal,
Eut after looking it over repeatedly, I could not
prevail upon myself to leave any part of it out. —
The scenes described were so different from what
'we have in these isles, and yet in general so agree-
able ; and more especially as we see such a pleasing
thougli true picture of the Doctor's spirit and con-
duct, that I thought I should neither do justice
to my subject nor my reader if I witliheld these
pages from insertion. But I will be as sparing as
possible of such insertions in future, that I may
not exceed the prescribed hmits, and that I may
have sufficient room to do justice to the other parts
of my subject.

The Doctor, we see, during his excursions in
America, took occasion repeatedly, while preach-
ing, to deliver his sentiments against slavery. The
abolition of the slave trade had engaged the warm
attention of philanthropists, about this time, in
Europe. Their exertions were continued for more
than twenty years, till they were filially cro'\\'ned
with complete success. Dr. Coke had imbibed their
sentiments and spirit, and finding slavery to be
very common on the continent of America, he
warmly bore his testimony against it. And it
-should be observed, that tthatsoever the Doctor's
hand found to do he did it witli his might; and
whatsoever he did he did it heartily, whether unto
the brethren or unto strangers. It would seem,
laudable as was the attempt, as well as the motive,
there was some danger, at this time, of the Doctor,

LIFE OF DR. COKE. 197

Bishop Asbury, and the American Conference,
acting too rashly and precipitately. And it seems,
they themselves saw the matter in this light, after
making a trial. The consequence was, that the
minute which their conference had made against
all slave-holders, had its operations suspended. —
But it is a strange thing, that any person who
fears God, loves man, and pays any regard to the
bible, should traffic in the flesh and blood of his
fellow men, or be offended at those who vritness
against the abominable practice. We see also, in
some of the last pages preceding, that Dr. Coke
used very active exertions for erecting and estalj-
lishing a college, or rather several colleges, in Ame-
rica. And in a very short time, two colleges were
prepared and opened, and promised very fair for
doing good, and conferring credit on the Metho-
dists. One of these they called Wesley-college,
in honour of Mr. Wesley ; and the other they
termed Cokesbury-coUege, the name being com-
posed of those of the two Bishops, Coke and
Asbury. But one of these colleges being at least
twice burnt down, and other discoiuMgements
occurring, the institution was altogether aban-
doned.

During Dr. Coke's stay in America, another
circumstance happened, which must not pass
unnoticed.

The American states, after renoimeing the
authority of the government of England, and after
a war which continued about eight years, in whicli
they were assisted by France, Spain, and Holland,
became an independent empire. They established
a government upon the system of representation,
having two separate houses, and instead of an
hereditary king, a chief magistrate, to whom they
give the title of president, chosen by popidar
election, who was to go out of office at the end of

19S LIFE OF DR. COKE.

four years, except re-chosen. General Wasliiug-
ton was their first president. And the government
being acknov/ledged by other pov/ers, and peace
being established with England, it was thought
that it would be very proper, in imitation of otiier
religious denominations, for the American Metlio-
dists to present a dutiful and loyal address to his
excellency President Waslungton, which was
accordingly done, and signed by Bisliop Coke and
Bishop Asbury. But this brought Dr. Coke into
a difficulty. He was a subject of the King of
England, and a member of the IMethodist society
in England. The Americans had revolted against
the mother country, and till lately had been called
rebels, and treated as such. And though war had
ceased and peace was signed, yet the spirit of hos-
tility was not altogether extinguished. Mr. AYes-
ley had been a decided adversary to tlie congress
and General AYashington during the war; and
some of the preachers, as before-mentioned, had
been obliged to flee from America and return to
England. These things were not 3'et forgotten.
The address, above-mentioned, was publisiied in
the AmericiUi news-papers, which found their way
to England. And one man,, who, on more occa-
sions than this, strove to raise himself in the
esteem and confidence of Mr. Wesley, in a way not
the most agreeable, attacked Dr. Coke for ha-s ing
signed the address ; urging, that there were some
expressions in it in favour of the new government
of America, that were very improper to be used,
at least by a subject of the King of England, and
a member of the English Methodists. The poor
Doctor found he was in an evil case, and the tide
ran so strongly against him, that he was struck
dumb, and sat in silence, and unemployed during
the whole conference. Nor was this all. It \vtL$
resolved, either that his name should for that year

Life of dr. coke. 199

be left out of the minutes, or that Mr. Wesley
should publish his disapprobation of the Doctor
having signed sncli an addi*ess. He made choice
of the former piuiishment. There can be no doubt
tliat he felt this very acutely. But whether it laid
liini under any temptations to the contrary or not,
he still went on in diligent and zealous endeavours
to do good. Though he was denied a name amonj*
them, he was still allowed his ^j/ace, and preached
and performed other duties as before.

In the former part of the year 1786, Dr.
Coke made a tour through a considerable part of
England, particularly the north, and even Scot-
land. And about this time, he was warmly pos-
sessed with the idea that it would be well for
the ^lethodists to separate from the church ; and
the author of this publication saw a manuscript
which the Doctor had written upon that subject,
but which was never published. And after more
experience, and more mature consideration, he
seems to have given up the idea.

When Dr. Coke was on his first visit to
America, we find by his account that he made
some exertions for the promotion of missions on
that continent. Indeed, v;ilhout any impropriety,
and especially in tlie then existing circumstances,
the whole of JMethodism in that country might
have been called a mission. However, this was
not what the Doctor meant in his journal. He
meant, in a religious sense, the exploring of new
regions, the breaking up fresh ground, the carry-
ing the gospel into parts Vv here the Methodists had
no societies, and parts not included withio the
limits of any existing circuit.

The promotion of Christian missions was a
work for which he was well calculated, and in
which he took unspeakable pleasure for a consi-
derable part of his life; and his zeal in this great

200 LIFE OF DR. COKE.

and good work increased with his years. This
animated, filled, and almost absorbed his soul. It
was sometimes very pleasing to observe, that
when he was so overpowered with labour and
fatigue, that Jie might be inclined to dose for a
moment, if a mission or a missionary was men-
tioned, all the energies of his soul instantly sprang
forth, while he immediately entered into the sub-
ject. This once made an observer say, *' That if
the Doctor was dead, and some person was to pro-
nounce the v/ords mission or missionary in his ear,
there might be some hope of his return to life." —
And yet, nearly the first, if not the very first
which he contemplated, was the last in which he
engaged, and he was not permitted to reach the
country to which he was going, (the East Indies,)
being suddenly called out of time into eternity.

In the Arminian Magazine for 1792, there
is a long letter fi*om a gentleman of Moldai, near
Calcutta, in the East Indies, addressed to Dr.
Coke, in answer to certain inquiries he had made,
respecting a mission thither. This letter was dated
February 19, 1785, at which time the Doctor was
on the continent of America, where he had just
formed the new Methodist episcopal church. He
had written to this gentleman during the preceding
year, upon the subject of the conversion of the
Gentoos to the faith of Christ. He had asked
this gentleman, 1. "What are the dispositions of
the Hindoos, and the probability of their conver-
sion ?" To which his correspondent answered:—
The whole country of Hindostan is peopled by
two sorts of men, the Hindoos or Pagans, and
the Mahometans. The fonner are every where
f^ir more numerous than the latter, and their dis-
tinctive characters every where much the same. —
The leading features in the character of the Ma-
hometans are pride and cruelty, treachery and love

LIFE OF DR. COKE. 201

of power ; those of the Hindoos are abject servi-
lity, cunning, lying, dishonesty, and excessive iove
of money. Other vices the two sects have in
common; neither is free of those which mostly
mark the other, and the state of society and
morals among the whole body of natives, Hin-
doos and ^lahometans, affords at this very time,
a most' lively and lamentable exemplification of
the state of heathenism described by the apostle
Paul, in the first chapter of the epistle to the
Komans, which gives a wonderfully just and con-
cise view of a very wide subject.

xVs the light of nature is so much obscured
among them, so they possess but very Httle of the
light of science.

With respect to the probability of converting
either the Hindoos or the JVIahometans, humanly
speaking, they appear to be very small. " The
Mahometans, besides rejecting polytheism, pos-
sessing many just notions of the attributes of God
and moral duties, acknowledge the divine missions
of Moses and of Jesus Christ. But the very
source from whence they derive these truths poi-
sons them. They look upon Mahomet, who
adopted much both from Judaism and Christianity,
as the last prophet ; and they think themselves
secure in his doctrines. They still possess the
same bigoted spirit which, kindled by him, estab-
lished his imposture with the sword ; and tliey are
so proud, that tliere is little hope of convincing
them. Besides that, there would be obstacles to
their following their convictions similar to those
which I shall mention in speaking of the Hindoos.
With respect to the Hindoos, who will form
the first objects of any mission, it is hardly possi-
ble to conceive any people more completely en-
chained than they are, by their superstitions, and
7. C c

202 LIFE OF DR. COKE.

by their moral and civil or politisal state. Besides
their gi*eat ignorance, and their vices, they are
under a most prostrate subjection of mind to their
bramins. And their rajahs and zemindars, or land-
holders, exercise a high despotism over them. —
The first division of the Hindoos into four castes,
or tribes, according to the principal possessions,
no longer remains in its original simplicity, but
from these have sprung such a variety of subdi-
visions, that it is not easy to enumerate them ; and
still less easy to understand the points by which
they are separated ; and least of all to comprehend
the manifold ways in which each caste may be
forfeited or stained.

As the different castes neither marry nor eat
with each other, and are thus so many exclusive
communities; so any member of a caste who
transgresses those greater laws or barriers of it,
which in process of time have, by the craft of the
bramins, been multiplied, becomes an outcast
from it and all society ; neither himself nor his
children can find a single family who will inter-
marry or associate with them. And as this case
has other civil inconveniences attending it, parti-
cularly to the poor who depend on their labour for
subsistence ; it is a very dreadful kind of excom-
munication, to a people whose religion, tempers,
and habits, tie them so much to their own soil. —
Again, as despotism has been the principle of
government here in all ages, the people have hardly
an idea of any other ; and it descends in gradations
through every rank.

*' Now Sir," continues this gentleman to Dr.
Coke, " you will easily judge that these formida-
ble bulwarks of a religious and civil kind, must
powerfully deter the Hindoos fi'om attempting to
come out at the call of the gospel. They could
have nothing before their eyes but loss of caste.

LIFE OF DR. COKE. 203

and all its penalties, with the persecutions of the
bramins on this score, and of the zemindars on
the plea of rent ; or various misdemeanors which
they are at no loss to invent They must also
encounter the resentment and contempt of their
equals, and the loss of their business. In short, a
poor creature could see nothing but disgrace,
odium, want, and the ruin of himself and family.
But besides all this, they have an implicit faith in
their own religion, and must love the easy terms
on which it indulges and absolves their vices, much
better than the pure spiritual precepts of Christi-
anity. And they have seen too little of the influ-
ence of that holy reUgion on those who profess it,
to apprehend its superior excellency. Nor must
it be forgotten, that the zemindars and bramins
would league together to prevent the preaching
of the gospel in the villages ; and thus the design
would be obstructed in the very first stage
of it."

" You see, therefore. Sir, that the difficulties
are great ; greater it may be in some respects than
were those of the first preachers among the poor
and more polished people of the Roman empire.
Nevertheless the same divine power that then
made a few obscure, and for the most part un-
learned men, triumph over the united resistance
of the spiritual, secular, and carnal powers of the
world, remains unchanged ; and without that aid,
no work of conversion, however fair the probabi-
lities, can be accomplished, and through it all
things are possible."

This gentleman gave Dr. Coke much inform-
ation as to the best plan of proceeding, should
missionaries be sent But I presume the number
and magnitude of the apparently almost insur-
mountable difficulties, prevented any attempt from
being made at that time. It seems, however, to

204 LIFE OF DR. COKE.

have occupied a place in the Doctor's mind, and
was never erased thence, till having become so
impressive, that he resolved to go himself along
with a company that he engaged for the purpose.
However, at that time, his mind was more imme-
diately occupied in preparing some missionaries for
Nova-Scotia, and one for the Island of Antig-ua.
But before he embarked with these missionaries,
he wrote a letter to the writer of the foregoing
account of the East Indies, in which he said,
" The difficulties in the way of a mission lo Ben-
gal are very great, but nothing is impossible with
God. — But at present our openings in America,
and the pressing invitations we have lately received
from Nova- Scotia, the West Indies, and the Unit-
ed States, call for all the help we can possibly
afford our brethren in that quarter of the world.
As soon as the present extraordinary calls from
America are answered, I trust we shall be able to
turn our thoughts to Bengal."

The Doctor requested a continuance of the
correspondence of this gentleman, and here all
proceedings about a Methodist mission to the East
Indies ended for that time, and for almost thirty
years afterwards.

In the autumn of the year 1786, Dr. Coke,
in company with Mr. Warrener, Mr. Hammet,
and Mr. Clarke, three missionaries, sailed from
Gravesend with an intention to reach Nova Scotia.
But Mr. Warrener was designed ultimately to go
to Antigua, to assist IMr. Baxter, of whom we
shall have occasion to speak again. But they had
a very tedious and rough passage. " On stormy
seas unnumbered toils they bore," till, convinced
they could not reach the port of their destination,
they directed their course to the West Indies, and
landed at St. John's, in Antigua, on Christmas-day,
and met JMr. Baxter in the street going to the

LIFE OF DR. COKE. ^05

chapel to perform divine service. Their mutual
joy was almost beyond description.

As the Doctor published a short journal of
this voyage, and of what followed upon his visit-
ing the West Indies, and the contii<ent of Ame-
rica, and as the account is very interesting, I think
I should not do justice either to Dr. Coke or the
reader if I did not here insert at least a copious
extract of it. The whole of what lie published,
by way of journals, at different times, and after-
wards all together, makes but a large pamphlet, or
very small volume, and is now out of print. But
as it is almost impossible to give a full accoimt of
him otherwise, I shall insert, in their proper
places, extracts from what he wrote. It was writ-
ten in three letters, addressed to Mr. Wesley,
and consequently bears different dates, according
to the times when the respective parts were
written.

AN EXTRACT OF THE JOURNALS

OF THE

RJE.V. DR. COKE'S
SECOND VISIT TO AMERICA.

Section I.

Antigua, January 2, 1787.

BY the powerful hand of God we have been
brought to this island, as you will see by the fol-
lowing journal.

a06 LIFE OF DR. COKE.

•

On Sunday^ the 24th of Septemhe7\ we sailed
from Gravesend, and the next day were opposite
the Isle of Wight. The wind then turning
against us, we did nothing for five days and nights
but sail, for four hours, in the midst of blustering
winds and surging waves, from the Isle of Wight
towards the South of France, and the next four
hours back again ; and so alternately. We were
most part of this time sick. How surprising it is
that any would think of riding this great monster,
except for the service of God.

But, for Him

Labour is rest, and pain is sweet.

On Thursday, the 28th, at night, we had a
very providential deliverance from being run down
by a large coal-ship, about three times as large as
our brig. It was with great difficulty that we
slipped on one side of her, after receiving from
deck a general alarm of our danger : but the Lord
was with us. On the day before, the Lord was
extraordinarily present with me in my little bed-
chamber : he did indeed pour out the consolations
of his Spirit largely : and streams of iiUal, peni-
tential tears, did in an unusual manner flow from
my eyes.

I esteem my little bed-chamher (or state-room)
a pecuHar gift of God. It is taken out of the
steerage; and is so far, on the one hand, from
the common sailors, and oa the other, from the
cabin-passengers, that ^ is still and quiet, and
here I can be with Go^f : and, blessed be his name,
he does make it mv sanctum sanctorum, the holy
of hohes, filling it (my soul at least) with Ught
and glory. Here is no one to disturb me but the
two cabin-boys, who are separated from me by a
partition, and whom I am able to keep in good
order.

LIFE OF DR. COKE. 207

On Saturday, the 30th, we were obliged to
take shelter in St. Helen's, and the next day got
up to Spithead, which gave me an opportunity,
with my brethren, of visiting our friends in Ports-
mouth. Brother Warrenner preached in the town
in the afternoon, and I gave our friends a sermon
on the necessity of the new-birth in the evening
on the common. On Monday evening my con-
gregation was larger than on the day before, when
I endeavoured to lead the people to Christ, by the
star which the wise men saw in the East. On
Tuesday evening I took my leave of that kind
people, shewing them the necessity of a death
unto sin, and of having their lives hid with Christ
in God ; after preaching we concluded with the
Lord'^s Supper : and our Lord did assuredly con-
descend to acknowledge his own sacred ordinance.
It was a precious time.

About midnight, the tide being a little in our
favour, I set off for our ship, being engaged to
return every night. I had seven miles to sail, viz.
to the Mother-Bank, near the Isle of Wight ; and
the wind was so boisterous, that my kind pilot
(who is master of the commissioner's yacht) after
rowing me about two miles, advised me to return
to his yacht, which lay in the harbour. He and
his men accordingly rowed me there, where, after
some refreshment, I lay down on a couch (there
being no bed) and slept for about three hours. —
How much better off was I than my most honour-
ed Master, who had not where to lay his head \
Early in the morning they brought me to the brig ;
and for eight days more we were detained by the
winds.

On Thursday, the 5th of October, we had the
highest storm that has been remembered on that
coast for these six years, according to the accounts
of the neighbouring inhabitants. A small sloop

208 LIFE OF DR. COKE.

got entangled in the cable of one of our anchors,,
which was likely to do us much damage, and to
ruin the sloop ; but what small things are these, to
those whose anchor is cast within the vail. On
Sunday^ the 8th, we read prayers and a ser-
mon to the cabin passengers, the sailors not
appearing.

On JVednesday, the 11th, we removed to Yar-
mouth-harbour, in the Isle of Wight, and the
next day were in great danger of being run down
by a frigate, which by mercifully endeavouring
to avoid us, run on shore ; but the shore consist-
ing chiefly of mud, the frigate received no damage.
On Thursday, the 12th, we sailed into the channel,
and got to the Land's-End on the 14th.

Sunday, the 15th, Brother Warrenner read
prayers and I preached, endeavouring to explain
the nature of our Christian calhng, the necessity
of walking worthy of it, and the way thereto,
with a close application of the whole : tlie sailors
for the first time were present.

Sunday, the 22d, I went on deck about half
an hour before sun-rise, and had the pleasure of
seeing the most glorious sight I ever beheld, except
once on my former voyage to America. The
Eastern sky was covered with a most beautiful
canopy of pvirple, which was all over decorated
with spangles of gold. The heavens did indeed
declare the glory of God. I would, I think, at
any time go ten miles to see so noble a display of
the handy work of my Maker. And this God is
my God : what a ravishing consideration ! — Twice
this day we read the prayers of owy liturgy. In
the morning I enlarged on the nature of repent-
ance and justification ; and Brother Clarke in the
afternoon gave a rousing sermon on those impu-
dent words of Pharaoh, " Who is the Lord, that
I should obey his voice?" But alas ! they are

LIFE OF BH. COKE. 209

all like the deaf adder, that refuses to hearken to
the voice of the charmer, charm he never so
wisely.

Tuesday, the 17th. We have had little else
but storms and squalls since we sailed. But this
morning a most alarming circumstance called forth
all our attention. A leak was observed in that
part of our ship which lies under the cabin ; and
we are now about half way between the two con-
tinents. However, after long examination, it was
found that the leak was above the surface of the
water, and that the water came in only when
the ship heeled (as they term it.) It was the
opinion both of the captain and mate, that no-
thing could be done to stop the breach ; but that
bur pumps could easily command it, if it did not
increase.

Last night they were obliged to shut up all
the hatches, and for some time past they have shut
all the windows in the cabin. This is indeed a
time for the exercise of resignation. May I duly
improve it, whether it end in life or death. The
sailors this night, for the first time, joined us in
family-prayers.

Friday, the 27th. Last night was the most
tempestuous I ever knew at sea. The captain
says that he has not known such a night these ten
years. Though we lay to, they were very appre-
hensive that the wind would break the main -mast,
and about midnight sent down for two hatchets,
that they might cut it away if necessary. But our
Lord sitteth above the water-floods. This morn-
ing we found that the leak lets in more water than
it did yesterday. I retired in the morning to
meditate seriously on that circumstance. I con-
sidered. What reason have I to desire to live ? I
have reaUy forsaken all for Christ, and have nei-
7 D d

210 LIFE OF DR. COKE.

ther motive nor desire to live but for the churclj
of Christ. And why should my desire be so
strong on that account ? With what perfect ease
can the Lord fill up my province with one that
is infinitely better qualified? I am therefore wil-
ling to die. I do love my God, and have an indu-
bitable assurance that whatever is wanting he will
fully supply before he takes me into the world of
spirits.

Sunday^ the 29th. During divine service,
most of the sailors being present, I delivered my
soul : insomuch that one of the passengers, a gay,
irreligious young man, retired after the ser-
vice, and wrote me a letter, informing me that I
was not his pastor, and insisted on receiving the
usage which as a passenger and a gentleman he
had a claim to. A few fair words brought him
into good humour.

Ticesday, the Slst. We find that our leak has
not increased. 1 seem now to be sea-proof, and
can devote my whole day to reading, writing, and
religious exercises. A considerable part of the
time I spend in studying the French language,
particularly the grammar and the French exercises.
Three or four hours I employ daily in conversing
in French with om- ever blessed Lord and the in-
spired writers. Sometimes, for a little variety, I
read Virgil; and every day a canto out of the
works of Edmund Spenser, the English Virgil.
I am astonished the writings of Spenser are not
more read. His genius and strength of imagina-
tion were amazing ; and from his allegories may
be extracted some of the most instructive lessons
of religion; indeed, I grudge not the twenty
shillings I gave for his works. With such com-
pany as the above, 1 think, I could live contentr
jcdly in a tub.

Wednesday, Nov. 1. We are likely to have a
jiong passage: but this single consideration—

LIFE OF DR. COKE. 211

that I am in the very place where God would
have me to be, and am going on the very business
which God has allotted for me — is a sufficient
support under every trial : and this assurance,
blessed be God, I do possess fully and satis-
factorily.

Nov. 5. I endeavoured to enforce the neces-
sity of believing on the Lord Jesus Christ, after
explaining the nature of faith, and the salvation
which proceeds therefrom. O that the Lord
would open their dull ears !

Nov. 7. Brother Hammet was taken ill with
a fit of the ague ; but by administering to him
an emetic on the next day, and a purge on the
following, I trust it is gone, through the blessing
of God.

Sunday, 25. This day one of the main-stays
of the main mast broke, but has been tolerably
repaired.

Monday, 26. The other main-stay has also
given way, but is now repaired. Our tackUng
has received great injury from the severe gales of
wind which we have met with, with hardly any
interruption from the time we sailed. Brother
Clarke's hair falls off wonderfully; but he bears
himself up with great courage, as do the other
brethren.

Thursday, 29. A dreadful gale blew from the
north-west. At ten at night, I heard the Cap-
tain's wife crying out in a most dreadful fright,
and presently Mr. Hilditch (one of the passengers)
came running and crying, " Pray for us. Doctor,
pray for us, for we are just gone !" I came out
of my state-room, and found that a dreadful hur-
ricane (I assuredly may call it) had just arisen. —
The ship was on her beam-ends. They had not
time to take down the foresail, and were just
going to cut away the main-mast as the last

212 LIFE OF Dll. COKE.

remedy, expecting every moment that the ship
would be filled with water and sink. My bre-
thren and myself at this awful moment retired
into a corner to pray, and I think I may say we
all felt a perfect resignation ta the will of God.
Through grace, I think I may assert, that I was
entirely delivered from the fear of cieath. But
Brother Hammet was superior to us all in faith
for the occasion. His first prayer (if it could be
called by that name) was little else than a declara-
tion of the full assurance he possessed that God
would deliver us : and his second address to God
was a thanksgiving for our deliverance. It was
not till after tliis, and after we had sung a hymn
together, that the fore-sail was shivered in pieces,
and by that means the masts were saved, and pro-
bably the ship itself. It is awful to hear the Cap-
tain and one of the passengers who was on deck
during this tremendous tempest, give a relation of
it. It appeared to them as if the clouds, the air,
and the water, were all mixed together. After the
immediate danger was over, we drove with the
wind, which carried us with nothing but the bare
poles, at the rate of six miles an hour for eight
hours and a half

3Ionday, Dec. 4. This night was most dread-
ful. The sailors were just like the messengers of
Job, coming one after another with dismal tidings,
that now one rope was broke, and now another.
All the hatches were closed, as they had been twice
before. And now the whole ship began to ooze
at every joint. The next morning we held a
little council. The captain being convinced of the
impossibility of reaching the port of Halifax this
winter, it v.as the unanimous opinion of all, that
no other refuge was left us, under God, but to
sail . with aU possible expedition for the West
Indies. At present our sails appear like wafers.

LIFE OF DR. COKE. 213

Our ropes are quite white, all the tar being M^ashed
off; in short, the ship may already be said to be
half a wreck. We have this day agreed to enter
upon an allowance of water and several other
things ; but the greatest trial of all to me is, the
having hardly any candles remaining : but to ,the
glory of God I can say, that to me to live is
Christ, and to die is gain. It is very remarkable,
that since we came to the banks of Newfoundland,
I have had a strong persuasion, and I believe, a
divine one, that we shall be driven to the West
Indies. For about three weeks past, we have
gained vipon the whole but one hundred and
twenty miles ; doing nothing in the general but
lying at the mercy of the waves.

Dec. 15. This day we had the pleasure of
seeing one of the tropic birds with a most beauti-
ful plumage. Several of the clouds also in the
morning appeared in columns in a maimer I had
never seen before.

A remarkable phenomenon appeared a few
nights ago. The captain and all on deck saw a
liglit, like the light which a ship holds out when
it passes by another ship. They all said they
could swear that they saw it. It seemed quite
near to them. The captain called for his trumpet
to speak to the people of the ship : but before the
trumpet came, the light was gone, and we knew
no more of it.

Dec. 25. This day we landed in Antigua,
and in going up the town of St. John's we met
Brother Baxter in his band, going to perform
divine service. After a little refreshment I went
to our cliapel, and read prayers, preached, and
administered the sacrament. I had one of the
cleanest audiences I ever saw. All the negro
•women were dressed in white linen gowns, petti-
coats, handkerchiefs and caps : and I did not see

214 LIFE OF DR. COKE.

the least spot on any of them. The men were
also dressed as neatly. In tlie afternoon and even-
ing I had very large congregations.

Jan. 5, 1787. I have preached in this town
twice a day. The house used to be filled in the
evenings about an hour before the time of preach-
ing : and I have made it a rule to begin about half
an hour before the time. Our society in this island
is near two thousand : but the ladies and gentle-
men of the town have so filled the house, that the
poor, dear negroes who built it, have been almost
entirely shut out, except in the mornings : and
yet they bear this, not only with patience, but
with joy. Two or three times I have preached
in the country. Our friends who in\dte us to
their houses, entertain us rather like princes than
subjects : herein, perhaps, lies part of our danger
in this country. The country is very romantic.
The cocoa-tree is very magnificent ; and the milk
which the nuts yield, is most cooling and delici-
ous. Every thing is new, and therefore the more
pleasing. Last week my brethren with myself
were invited to dine with Prince William Henry
by the company of merchants, and, (though I do
not like those great feasts, yet) lest we should
seem disloyal, which would be one of the farthest
things from my heart, I consented to do myself
the honour of going with my brethren. This day
a gentleman with whom I dined, intimated, that if
five hundred a year would detain me in this
island, 1 should not leave it. God be praised, five
hundred thousand a year would be to me a feather
wiien opposed to my usefuhiess in the church of
Christ.

We have held an infant conference. A pres-
sing in^taticn has been sent us to visit St. Vin-
cent's; and th*s evening we are to sail for that
island. I^rother Wr -enner is to remain here^

LIFE OF DR. COKE. 215

We have about twenty recommendatory letters.
There is, as far as we can at present judge, a fair
opening in St. Eustatius. A Httle while ago
Brother Baxter received two warm letters of
recommendation for that island; and Brother
Hammet has just received one for St. Eatt's. We
are all in remarkable good health. All is of God,
I have no doubt, but it would be an open resist-
ance to the clear providences of the Almi^ hty, to
remove any one of the missionaries at present
from this country.

>SSi

Section II.

Dominica f January 15, 1787.

ON Friday, the 5th inst. I sailed wdth Bro-
thers Baxter, Hammet, and Clarke, from Antigua.
On Sunday, the 7th, we landed at this island. —
The night before we stopt on the coast, and Bro-
ther Baxter and I landed, being informed by our
captain of one Mr. Burn, a planter, a generous
young man, who Uves within half a mile of the
sea, and who probably would be very glad to en-
courage a mission in the island. After walking a
quarter of a mile we came to a little river which
we waded through, and on calling up Mr. Burn,
who was gone to bed, he received us, and enter-
tained us courteously, and gave us every encou-
ragement we could expect from an unawakened
man; assured us he should be glad to entertain
the minister whenever he should visit his estate;
that there were about four hundred negroes in
the neighbouthood, and that he had no doubt
but the few neighbouring planters would give
us the same encouragement. Here we met with

216 LIFE OF DR. COKE.

two old negroes, who, I apprehend, had been
formerly among the INIoravians at Antigua, who
exceedingly rejoiced at the thought that they
were likely to have the gospel preached to them
again.

When we came to Roseau (Dominica) on
Sunday, we went to the house of a Mrs. Webley,
a Mulatto-gentlewoman of some property, with
whom Brother Baxter had some acquaintance at
Antigua. She received us with great joy and
kindness, and gave notice I should preach in her
house at four in the afternoon. The congregation
was considerably larger than the house could con-
tain, and heard in general with deep attention,
whilst I endeavoured to display to them the elect,
precious corner-stone, and the way of being built
upon him. I would have taken the street, if the
brethren had not thought it best for me not to be
too bold, till I had waited on the governor, which
I intended doing on my return. We also visited
the barracks, and there found two soldiers who
had been in our society in Ireland, and expressed
very earnest desires that a mission might be fixed
in this island. In the evening we got into our
schooner, and after sailing by JNIartinico and St.
Lucia, we landed at Kingston, St. Vincent's, on
Tuesday, the 9th.

Here we have a very fair prospect. Brother
Baxter introduced us to one JVIr. Claxton, a man
of property. He was awakened by the ministry
of Mr. Gilbert, and met in class at Antigua for
some time, but had never heard Brother Baxter.
He has much of the spirit of a Methodist : his wife
also fears God. The evening after we landed, I
preached in his house to a large congregation. —
On Wednesday, the 10th, we set off for the plan-
tation of Mr. Clapham, a gentleman of fortune,
nearly related by law to Sister Baxter. He was

LIFE OF DR. COKE. 217

previously informed of our intentions to wait upon
him, and sent horses for us. He Hves about nine
or ten miles from Kingston. We were received
with very great kindness. In the evening I
preached in his large parlour ; and on inform-
ing him that Brother Clarke was to remain in the
island, he gave him a pressing general invitation ;
he observed, it was possible he might have acci-
dentally some company who would look upon a
sermon as an intrusion, but in that case Mr. Clarke
at the proper time might convene the negroes into
a large boarded room which was separate fi'om tlie
house : and that he would speak to Mr. Jackson,
ia neighbouring gentleman, who, he did not doubt,
would readily enter on the same plan. In my
way to ]Mr. Clapham's, I called at the house of
one Mr. Morgan, a gentleman of large property,
whose lady (he not being at home) informed us
that Mr. Clarke would be always welcome to
instruct and preach to thek negroes at proper
hours.

On my return to Kingston, I found that our
friend Claxton had fitted up with seats a large
warehouse or cellar for a preaching-house; and
also two smaU rooms for the preacher, one for his
bed-chamber, and the other for his study. We
also waited on the president of the council, who
acts as governor, the late governor being dead,
and the vacancy not yet filled up. He also re-
ceived us with great courtesy, wished us success,
and gave permission to Brother Clarke to preach
in the Court-house on Sundays. A gentleman of
fortune in Kingston, Mr. Steward, who keeps a
very large shop or warehouse, and with whom we
dined, is rejoiced above measure at our visit. He
made me a present of a large cocoa-nut shell very
curiously engraved and set in silver. To Brother

7 E e

218 LIFE OF DR. COKE.

Hammet he gave a seal, worth, I suppose, three
or four guhieas ; and to Brother Baxter a pocket
dressing-table for shaving, &c. worth, I suppose,
two guineas. To Brother Clarke, he said, he
would make no present then ; for, says he, I shall
have him near me when you are gone, and he
shall never want. He was many years ago in our
society in London, and through various vicissi-
tudes is become a very rich man, though once
poor. He and Mr. Claxton are beginning already
to talk about ground for a preaching-house. I
formed a class of six whites as an introduction.
Besides these, there are six or seven of the soldiers
in the barracks who are deeply serious ; one of
them exhorts. They have built a hut for their
public and private meetings within their barracks,
and constantly meet together at five in the morn-
ing, except when military duties interfere, and
then they meet at half-past four in the morning.
Their ill-natured commander-in-chief will not
suffer Brother Clarke to preach within the bar-
racks, but the poor soldiers were to meet him in
class at ^Ir. Claxton's, on the day after I left St.
Vincent's.

On Friday, the 10th, we dined, by invitation,
at Mr. Otley's, a member of the council, and one
of the principal men, perhaps the second in the
island : he lives about seven miles from Kingston.
He is a very agreeable man, and his lady has
something serious in her. Notwithstanding there
were two thoughtless officers at dinner with us,
he gave Brother Clarke a general invitation to
make his house his home. Sir William Young,
on whom I waited at Antigua, and who received
me with very great courtesy, has a large estate
just by INIr. Otley's. In short there is a little cir-
cuit opened to us already in this island: nor shall
I be surprised if Brother Clarke has, in a few

LIFE OF DR, COKE, ^19

weeks, five hundred catechumens under his care.
In Kingston it is surprising with what eyes of
affection the poor negroes look upon us, when we
pass by them ; and one of them was overheard
telling his companions, " These men were imported
for us." There is a member of the assembly, to
whom I had strong letters of recommendation, on
whom I had not time to call. There is also ano-
ther gentleman who is personally known to Bro-
ther Baxter, and who has six of our pious Antigua
negroes on his plantation, on whom also we had
not time to wait. It is impossible to have any
doubt concerning the will of God, in respect to
the appointment of a missionary for this island:
in respect to Antigua and ^t. Vincent's, all is as
clear as if it was written Avith a sun-beam.

The island of St. Vincent's is romantic beyond
any thing I ever saw before. The hanging rocks,
sugar-canes, cotton and coffee plantations, &c.
make such a beautifully- variegated scene, that I
was delighted with it ; but, I trust, did not lose
sight of the great Author of the whole.

Monday, January 15, we landed again at
Roseau (Dominica.) We intended being here yes-
terday, but were prevented by a calm. After break-
fast, we waited on the governor, who received us very
politely, and signified his approbation of our plan
of establishing missions among the negi'oes. —
Afterwards we came to the plantation of Mr.
Cherrurier, brother to Mr. Cherrurier, one of the
leaders of our society in Dubhn. He expresses
his great desire of having a missionary fixed in the
island, assuring us that he will readily contri-
bute to his support, and encourage his useful-
ness. I think the Lord will soon have mercy on
this island.

This evening we examined minutely that
wonderful little insect, the fire-fly. It appears

220 LIFE OF DB. COKE.

as if he had a real spark of fire continually burnn
ing in his belly. We could see what o'clock it
was in a dark room with the help of one of
them.

Tuesday, the 16th, we set off for St. Chris-
topher's, where we arrived on Thursday. On our
arrival, we found that intelligence had been sent
here from Antigua, of our intention of visiting
this island : and a house was provided for us to
lodge and preach in. Mr. Cable, a Mulatto gen-
tleman, a printer, has shewn us the utmost kind-
ness and attention. A Mrs, Seaton also, a Mulatto
gentlewoman, has been very kind« The two last
mentioned deeply fear God. One Mr. Bertie, a
jeweller, is likely to become a sincere friend. On
Thvu'sday evening I had a good congregation,
considering the notice given.

On Friday, the 19th, we went with some
recommendatory letters to the island of Nevis,
which is very near St. Christopher's : but it proved
to all appearance the most useless as well as the
most expensive journey that we have taken. —
We were received politely, but every door seemed
shut against our niinistiy:

On our return to St. Christopher's, we receiv-
ed an invitation to preach in the Court-house.
Brother Hammet preached on Sunday afternoon,
and I in the evening. The crowd was prodigious
in the evening. Six or seven principal gentlemen of
the town have invited us tq their houses, to some
of which we have gone. Among the rest was the
parson of the parish. Our friends have rented a
convenient house for Brother Hammet.

A gentleman in the island of Nevis, (IVIr.
Brazier, a member of the assembly) has sent an
invitation to Brother Hammet to come over to
preach to tlie negroes. An illegitimate son of the
president of the council of Nevis, has also giver^

LIFE OF DR. COKE. 221

Brother Hammet an invitation to preach in his
house at Charleston, the principal town ii the
island of Nevis. So that our journey to that
island has not been so fruitless as we imagined. —
We have lately seen a curious fish exactly like a
land hedge-hog, but when dressed, it eats as well
as a turtle.

On Wednesday, the 24th, we sailed from
Basse-Terre, St. Kitt's, and stopped at Sandy-
Point, a town in the same island, where we called
on one Mr. Sommersal, a gentleman of property,
at whose house Mr. Tunnel, one of our American
elders, who took a voyage to St. Kitt's, for his
health,' once preached. He promised us that he
would consult with some of his friends in the
neighbovu'hood, and with them endeavour to
procure a proper place for Mr, Hammet to preach
in.

In the afternoon we landed at St. Eustatius,
and were met by two black men, who asked us
whether we were not some of the brethren (I
thought they meant the IMoravians, but after-
wards found they meant Methodists.) I told
them we were of the same kind : then, said they,
if you wiU come with us, we will shew you your
home. I told them that we wanted to see Captain
de Lion ; the captain of the blacks, to whom we
had recommendatory letters. You had better,
said they, go home first. And accordingly they
brought us to a very comfortable house, belonging
to a family of free blacks, where we have been
most hospitably entertained. Some serious free
black,^ had received intelligence, I find, from St.
Kitt's, of our intention to visit them, and had
joined together to bear the expence gf supporting
us. In the evening, a pretty congregation, with-
out any regular notice, was gathered together:
but being now in the dominions of a foreign

222 LIFE OF DR. COKE.

power (Eustatius belonging to the Dutch) I
thought it prudent to inform the people that I
should not preach that evening, as I had not waited
on the governor: and yet, notwithstanding, we
were obliged to pray three times, and sing twice,
before they would go away. The Lord raised up
lately a negro-slave whose name is Harry (who was
brought here from the continent, and who was
formerly a member of our society) to prepare our
way. Harry did so grieve in spirit at the wicked-
ness of the people around him, that at last the fire
broke forth, and he bore a public testimony for
Jesus. The governor came to heai' him, and ap-
proved of what he said ; but in a little time the
poor slaves were so affected under the word, that
many of them fell down as if they were dead,
and some of them would remain in a state of
stupor for some hours. One night sixteen of them
fell down in this manner. Then the governor
sent for Harry, and forbad him to preach any
more under severe penalties. He would have
ordered him to be whipped, if the fischal or
supreme judge, who was present at the same time,
had not observed that he had done nothing worthy
of corporal punishment. Harry has awakened
about twenty souls, who are wiUing immediately
to be put into class. There is also a black woman
here who came from America, who loves God,
The day after Harry's mouth was stopped, we
landed, to the joy of his poor little flock ; and
one the day we landed, the governor was taken

ill.

77iursday, the 25th, we waited on the cap-
tain of the island, who now represents the gover-
nor, and on the fischal or judge. The fischal
told us that we must be private, till the court had
considered whether our religion should be tolerated
or not. The captain also ordered us to prepare

IIFE OF DR. COKE. S23

our confession of faith and credentials, and to
present them to the court on Saturday ; with all
which we complied. We have been since informed
that they were highly satisfied with our confession ;
but they ordered us to wait till the next court for
an answer, which will be held on Wednesday in
the next week. They could all speak English,
except the fischal, and yet they would converse
with us only through an interpreter ; this is, I
suppose, the custom. Indeed, there is mvich
more English than Dutch spoken in this island.

Suimay, the 28th, a private message was
sent me that the captain and council would be
glad to meet me in the afternoon in a private
house, to which the captain of the blacks would
bring me ; and hear me preach. I met them ac-
cordingly at the time appointed, and preached
before them on 1 John v. 12. He that hath the
Son, hath life. Our friend Captain de Lion tells
me they were highly pleased, and in the evening the
interpreter of the court sent us one of his black
maid-servants to be instiiicted and prepared for
baptism : she really seems, m some measure, to
feel herself a sinner.

We have seen here a most curious fish. It is
small, but has two horns on the top of its head,
two horns behind, and a tail like a paddle ; its
head and eyes are exactly like those of a hog. —
When dressed it eats Uke the flesh of chicken.

Tuesday, the 30th, I waited on the captain
again, to resolve two questions, 1. Why do you
call yourselves Methodists? 2. How ai'e your
ministers supported ?

&24i LIFE OF DR, COKE*

Section III.

ON Snturdaij, Feb. 10, I set sail from St,
Eustatius in a large Dutch ship, and after an
agreeable voyage of eighteen days arrived at
Charleston-harbour. On taking leave of my poor
black friends, they heaped upon me such a quan-
tity of seed-cakes, sweet biscuits, oranges, bottles
of jelly, &c. that we had not consumed above
one-half of them on our voyage, although there
were seven in the cabin to partake of them. Be-
fore I left St. Eustatius, I formed six regular
classes ; and I have no doubt, but they are all (one
person only, perhaps, excepted) at least deeply
awakened ; and that one has evidently good de-
sires. If I had staid there one day more, I
think I sliould have formed a seventh class.*—
Three of them I gave to the care of Harry, which
I expect will soon multiply ; two to our North
American sister, and one to a black named
Samuel.

Tlie captain of our ship read some prayers
and a portion of sacred writ to his people every
morning and evening, and a sermon on the Lord's-
day : and though, I fear, there was no vital reli-
gion among them, there was the greatest decency
and propriety of conduct I ever saw in a ship ;
and this, I have been informed, is the case with
most of the ships of Holland. During this
voyage we were very successful in catchmg
dolphins.

On the first o^ March I landed at Charleston,
and spent a comfortable month with the infant-
society in this city. Soon after I came here, I
had the pleasure of opening a new church, which
will contain about fifteen hundred people. From

LIFE OF DR. COKE. 225

that time my congregations were very large. At
five in the morning, about three hundred used to
attend. Since my visit to the islands, I have found
a peculiar gift for speaking to the blacks. It seems
to be almost irresistible. Who knows but the
Lord is preparing me for a visit in some future
time to the coast of Africa.

About a week before my departure from this
city, Mr. Asbury gave me the meeting. Our in-
terview at first was rather cool, but soon the spirit
of peace and love came upon us, and all jealousies
were immediately removed. The preachers who
labour in this state and Georgia, also met us here,
according to the direction of Mr. Asbury ; and in
our conference which we held together, the spirit
of concord and love did eminently preside. All
was peace and harmony. And at the public ordi-
nation of two deacons, the Lord was pleased to
pour out his Spirit largely upon us. As there are
no more than forty whites here in society, the
building of a church worth a thousand pounds
sterling, has filled the people in general with amaze-
ment. Great has been the work of God both in
this state and that of Georgia, for the little time
that we have laboured in them. While my soul is
exulting in the prosperity of Zion, I feel an addi-
tional pleasure in the thought that Georgia was
the residence and sphere of Mr. Wesley's useful-
ness for some years ; every thing that is likely to
give him pleasure, administering a proportionable
pleasure to me.

Mr. Asbury (who is assuredly a great man of
God) has treated me with much respect : for he
has not only provided for me a good horse with
its proper attire, but (as there is no time to pro-
cure a regular publication of me at the places
through which I am to pass) has delivered up to
8 F f

5^.-

226 LIFE OF DR. COKE.

me liis own plan, and intends to accompany me
to New- York.

JNIucli of the glory and of the hand of God
have I seen in riding through tlie circuit called
Pee-Dee, in ^utli-€arolina. AVlien I was in
America before, there were but tAventy in society
in this circuit ; and it was much doubted at the
conference, whether it Avould be for the glory of
God to send even one preacher to tliis part of the
country. But now, chiefly by the means of two
young men, Hope Hull, and .Jeremiah JNIaston,
the societies consist of eight hundred and twenty-
three members; and no less than two and twenty
preaching-houses have been erected in this .single
circuit in the course of the last year. The"^ preach-
ers here ride about one hundred miles a week on
an average; but tlie swamps and morasses they
have to pass through in the winter, it is tremen--
dous to relate ! Thougli it is now in the month of
April, 1 was above . my knees in water on horse-
back, in passing through a deep morass, and that
very late in the evening, when it was almost dark,
in order to reach the house of JNlr. De Busse (one
of our friends) in whose neighbourhood I was to
preach the next day ; but we had with us a faith-
ful guide.

In the course of om- jourliey through North-
Carolina, 1 preached (among several other places)
at the house of Mr. Hodgins, near the town of
Salisbury. He was formerly a dancing-master,
and has amassed a considerable fortune, with
which he has purchased a large estate : and is now
a friend of the gospel, and some of his family are
indeed friends of God. He has the first prospect
from his dwelling-house of open lands, woods
and water, that, 1 think, I have seen in ^Vmerica.
We liave in this state got up to the Cherokee-
Indians, who are in general a peaceable people. I

LIFE OF DR. COKE. S27

trust, tlie grace of God will in time get iiiiO some
of tlieir hearts.

In travelling through Virginia, our rides were
so long that we were frequently on horvseback till
inidnight after preaching in the middle of the day.
Since 1 left Charleston, J have got into my old
romiuitic way of life, of preaching in the midst of
great forests, with .scores, and sometimes hundreds
oi* horses tied to the trees ; winch adds much so-
lemnity to the scene.

In the coiu"se of my jom-ney through this
state, I visited the county of Halifax, whei-e I
met with a little persecution on my former visit to
this continent, on account of the public testimony
I bore against negro-slavery. I am now informed
that soon after 1 left the county on my former
tour, a bill was presented against me as a seditious
person before the grand jury, and was foimd by
the jury : and ninety persons had engaged to pur-
sue me and bring mp back again : but their hearts
failed them. Another bill was also presented in
one of the neighbouring counties, but was thrown
out INlauy of the people, I find, imagined that
I would never venture amongst them again. How-
ever, when I came, they all received me with
perfect peace and quietness ; and my visit, I have
reason to believe, was made a blessing to many.
Indeed, I now acknowledge that however just
my sentiments may be concerning slavery, it Avas
ill judged of me to deliver them from the pulpit.
A man who pursued me with a gun in order to
shoot me when I was in this neighbourhood before
(but this circumstance was then secreted from me)
is now converted to God, and become a memjber
of our society.

In Mecklenburg county in this state, were
the Lord is not only increasing but deepening
his work ii> a ver]^ glorious manner, we lield our

228 LIFE or DR. COKE.

second conference. After some little jealousies
were removed, we renewed our love more closely
than ever, and our whole business was conducted
with great dispatch and most perfect unanimity.
On the LOrd's-day I had the largest congregation
I ever saw in America, although there was no
town within a great many miles of the place : I
think there were about four tliousand hearers. —
M^e here ordained five deacons in public, and it
was a very solemn and profit<ible time,. I believe,
to very many.

One circumstance at tlurs conference gave me
very great pleasm'e. Brother Hawcs, one of our
elders, who last year was sent with a preacher to
Kentucke, on the banks of the Oliio, near the
Mississippi, wrote to us a most enlivening account
of the prospect in his district, and earnestly im-
plored some further assistance. " But, observe !"
added he, " No one must be appointed for this
country, that is afraid to die ! For there is now
war 'U'ith the Indians, who frequently lurk behind
the trees, shoot the travellers, and tiien scalp them :
and we have one society on the very frontiers of
the Indian country." After this letter was read,
a blessed young man (Brother Wilhamson) offered
himself as a volunteer for this dangerous work.
What can we not do or suffer, when the love of
Christ constrains !

In a few days after this, we arrived at llich-
rpond. IMany of the inhabitants, I was informed,
had said that I would not dare to venture into that
town (Avhich is the seat of government in Virginia)
on account of a petition for the abolition of
negro-slavery which had been presented to the
general assembly, and had been subscribed by a
very respectable body of freeholders, the origin
of which was attributed to me. But they did not
know me; for I am a plain blunt man, that goes

LIFE OF Dl{. COME. 229

directly on. However, instead of opposition, the
governor of the state, who resides there, ordered
the Court-house to be opened to me, and a very-
respectable and very attentive congregation I was
favoured with.

From Ilichmond to Alexandria, which is a
hundred and twenty miles or thereabouts, we
have no societies. At one of the inns v/e joined
a company of agreeable men, who were not luiac-
quainted with the ISIethodists, though tliey were
imacquainted with God. These gentry laid a plot
for us, I have reason to believe. For in our lirst
dish of tea there was a little taste of nun ; in our
second a little more ; but the third was so strong,
that on our complaining of a conspiracy, it seemed
as if the rum had sprung into our tea of itself, for
both the company and waiters solemnly protested
they were innocent.

On the last day of April, IMr. Asbvuy and I
arrived at Baltimore ; and on the next day our
third and last conference began : when, behold,
Satan exerted his utmost subtilty.

Never surely was more external peace and
liberty enjoyed by the church of God or any part
of it, since the fall of man, than we enjoy in
America: and every thing seems to be falling
before the power of the word. What then remained
for the infernal serpent, but to so^v tlie seeds of
schism and division among ourselves. Wwt, glory
be to God, yea, glory forever be ascrilied to his sacred
name, the devil was completely defeated. Our
painful contests, I trust, have produced the most
indissoluble union between my brethreji and me.
AVe thoroughly perceived the mutual purity of
each other's intentions in respect to the points in
dispute, We mutually yielded, and mutually
submitted ; and the silken cords of love and affec-
tion were tied to the horns of tlic altar for ever
and ever.

^30 LIFE OF DR. COKE.

The Lord has done marvellous t])ings in this
hnd in the course of the last year. No less than
six thousand six hundred have been added to the
society on the balance in the United States alone.
And, praised be the Lord, the work is deep as
well as wide, O that I myself may be watered
under this glorious shower, and lose nothing of
my share in the blessings which the heavens are
pouring doAvn.

At this conference another young man offered
himself as a volunteer for Kentucke : and the two
preachers are to be sent off as soon as possible,
breathing the true spirit of missionaries.

I felt much of the power of God in all my -
public administrations at Baltimore; and I have
no doubt but many of my hearers felt it too. —
The divine Comforter was also very graciously
present at tlie ordination of two elders and eleven
deacons.

On Tuesday, the 8th of May, JMr. Asbury
and 1 paid a visit to our new college, which will
be opened (we expect) between this and Christ-
mas ; and we trust, will unite together those two
great ornaments of himian nature, genuine reli-
gion, and extensive learning. The situation pleases
me more and more. Our object is (not to raise
gospel-ministers but) to serve our pious friends and
our married preachers in the proper education of
their sons.

We now visited our affectionate societies in
Philadelphia and Yew York. In each of these
cities we want a second church, and I believe,
the I>ord will soon enable them to bring this to
effect

Not mectiiig with a suitable ship in the port
of Xew York, (and after taking an affectionate
leave of my dear friend Mr. Asbury) I returned to
Philadelphia. On the road I waited on Mr. Ogdeii,

LIFE OF DR, COKE. S3T

c»f Elizabeth-Town, New Jersey, a minister of
the church of England, and a minister also of
Jesus Christ. He is the Only regular minister I
have met with, that enforces the Methodist discip-
line among his people. He has many classes
vmder his care ; and much of the life of God, I
doubt not, is among them. In the evening I
preaclied in his church.

On Sunday, the 27th of May, after preach-
ing a farewel-sermon to our friends iu Philadel-
phia, I embarked on board a merchant-ship for
Dublin. The captain, his wife, and another gen-
tlewoman, who are my company, manifest as
much decency, courtesy, and respect, as can be
expected from miawakened persons. But God is
with me, his weak, sinful worm, glory be to his
blessed name.

On Monday, the 25th of June, by the mercy
of God, I arrived safe in Dublin-Bay, after a pas-
sage of twenty-nine days : and was received in
much love by oiu' Irish brethren.

Respecting Nova-Scotia, to which Dr. Coke
intended to have taken the two missionaries, I have
to observe, that IMr. Wm. Black, a native of
Huddersfield, in Yorkshire, and a very zealous
and useful preacher, had resided in that country
many years. During the American war, he re-
peatedly importuned Mr. Wesley to send preach-
ers to help him. But he would not send any
across the Atlantic, during that unhappy contest.
Mr. Black therefore had to labour alone, and en-
deavoured to preserve alive the little flame wliich
had been kindled by the grace of (nJod. But the
wide extent of his circuit rendered it impossible
for him to estabhsh and enforce tlie Methodist
discipline as he otherwise would have done. After
the peace, two preacliers, botli of tlie name of
Mann, went from the states with the ]oyaI refugees.

232 LIFE OF DE. COKE.

to Nova Scotia, and acted in conj miction with ^Ir.
Black. And soon after, JMi\ AVesley sent a
preacher from England, Mr. James Wray, to their
assistance. At the death of My. Wesley, about
five hundred whites and two hundred blacks were
in tlie Methodist society, in that county, with a
prospect of still greater good. Since that time the
number has been more than doubled.

Respecting Dr. Coke, and his second visit to
the continent, as a faithful and impartial historian,
I must mention, that as tlie Doctor met with some
humiliating trials v» hen he returned to England,
after his fkst visit, as before stated, so upon his
next visit to Mr. Asbury, and his brethren, he
found that jealousy, and other passions not of the
best sort, had been working against him. He
had to bear some very mortifying and humiliating
circumstances. Their conduct spake the languages
of too many in a still more important case, " We
will not have this man to reign over us." In sliort,
the Methodists, and especially tlie prcacliers, were
for imitating their countrymen, in a political sense,
by renouncing all connexion with the Methodists
in Europe. But afterwards the matter was
patched up, and upon the several subsequent
visits which he paid them, he was acknowledged
as a bishop among them. They importuned hmi
to stay among them, and at one time, he partly
engaged so to do. But circumstances prevent-
ed it.

Upon his return from America, in 1787, we
find that he first fell into his old employment by
presiding at the Irish conference, and then crossed
the channel to the conference in England, which
was that year held at Manchester.

From this time, to the time of his death, he
zealously and unremittingly promoted missions in
the West India Islands. From the time that he

LIFE OF Ijf . COKE, 233

was carried tliitlier by contrary winds and stress of
weather, and saw with his own eyes the state of
religion, and especially the condition of the poor
negroes, in that country, he seemed to think
himself peculiarly called to do good to those
islands.

But I shall not, at so early a stage, enter
fully into the subject of missions. I shall defer
this till I shall have waded through some of those
stormy years which succeeded the death of Mr.
Wesley. However, it will be proper to state the
Doctor's visits to the West Indies, in the order in
which thfey took place.

Nothing very remarkable occurred pertaining
to him after his second return from America, and
prior to his third visit to that country and the
West Indies. He spent cowsiderable portions of
his time in London ; made tours in A^arious direc-
tions, through different parts of Great Britain ;
annually visited Ireland ; and took a very active
part in every thing belonging to the Methodist
connexion. Mr. Wesley frequently commissioned
him to do sundry things, in different parts, and
with reference to sundry concerns. The Doctor
executed these commissions with fidelity, alacrity,
and zeal : Yea, perhaps, sometimes with too
much zeal. His zeal to serve Mr. Wesley, and
the cause of religion ; the natural warmth of his
constitution ; his consciousness of his own integrity,
together with the provocations he sometimes met
with, upon some occasions induced him rather to
over-do matters. He had then to apologize, beg
pardon, and recede a little. It was upon one of
these occasions that Mr. Wesley said, " Dr. Coke
and I are like the French and the JDutch. The
French have been compared to a flea, and the
Dutch to a louse. I creep like a louse, and the

8 Gg

234? LIFE OF DH. COKE.

fjround I get I keep , but the Doctor leaps like n
flea, and is sometimes obliged to leap back again/'
But whatever defect there might be in his pru-
dence or moderation, there never was any in his
integrity ; and he rejoiced to spend and be spent
in the service of Christ and his church. Had he
wished for an easier, a more honourable, or lucra-
tive w^ay of life, he coidd readily have obtain-
ed his wish : for being remarkably agreeable,
and in person very engaging, and having such
a very extensive acquaintance, he would have
found it one of the easiest things in the world, had
he been so disposed, to have obtained more than
an ample competency by marriage. And he told
nie in 1794, that when he considered his own dis-
position, and other circumstances, it was to him
one of the most wonderful things in the world,
that he had then never been married. Yet, what-
ever might be his own disposition, or the tempta-
tions to which he was exposed, he was not only
kept unspotted by transgression, but imimpeached
and unimpeachable, as to any thing of imprudence
or indiscretion. In this respect, he was harmless,
and undefiled, a child of God without rebuke,
though pei-petually surrounded v.ith dangei's. It
was about this time, that IMr. AVesley ordained
some preachers for England only, after having
ordained some for Scotland. Change of circum-
stances induced him, though very cautiously, and
by slow degrees, to make some change in his pro-
ceedings. He seems to have been convinced at
last, that from the great variety of opinions
among both the people and the preachers, as well
as from the behavioin- of many of the clergy, it
was expedient as well as laxvful, that the preachers
s;hould administer the Lord's Supper, and baptize
children, where they were generally desired so to
do. But when he did deviate a little from his

LIFE OF DR. COKE. 235

former strict adherence to the church, he took care
to presei've as near a conformity to tiie church as
circumstances would allow.

March 29th, 1788, JNIr. Charles Wesley
died. Both he and his brother John died in the
month of ISIarch, though Charles died the first by
almost two years. He was a most excellent writer
of sacred poeti'y, and wrote most of the hymns
which are used in the conffreyations of the INIe-
thodists.

Dr. Coke having once set his heart upon
doing something for the A^^est India islands, eveiy
year more and more missionaries were sent thither.
In the latter end of October, the Doctor embarked
the third time for America, taking the West
Indies in his way. He took out with him three
missionaries, for those islands, INIessrs. Limib,
Gamble, and Pearce. The first of these returned,
after spending five years tiiere, and the other two
ended their days in those regions. It is rather a
sorrowful reflection, that a large majority of the
missionaries sent thither, have not lived to return,
and that sundry of them died soon after their arri-
val there. This has rendered the mission more
expensive, as new missionaries have had to be sent
to supply the places of those who have died,

I cannot think of any better way of writing
this part of the life of Dr. Coke, tnan to insert
here his own account of his " Third visit tg
America."

AN EXTRACT OF THE JOURNALS

OF THE

REV. DR. COKE'S
THIRD VISIT TO AMERICA.

Section I.

Bridge- Toivn, Ba?^badoes, Dec. 9, 1788.

ON the 4th inst. we landed on this island,
after a voyage five weeks and four days.

Our voyage, all things considered, was per-
haps as pleasant a one as was ever sailed. In tlie
turbulent Bay of Biscay, my brethren were very
sick. From Cape Finisterre to this island, the
Avind was fa^- ourable all the way.

And here I must not omit to bear the most
unfeigned testimony of gratitude in behalf of the
captain of our ship. Our accommodations in
every respect were very excellent; and he left
nothing unprovided, which he thought might be
necessary, or in any wise commodious for us : and
his whole treatment of us from the beginning to
the end was affectionate and generous to the last
degree.

Captain Sundius being a man who sincerely
fears God, we had full hberty to sing and pray as
often as we pleased, and he never neglected to join
us. In all my voyages till this, I do not recollect
that we were serviceable to any sailor except one ;
but the first time I preached in the Han key, (on
those words of our Lord, Verily, verily, I say
unto theCy except a man be born again, he cannot

LIFE OF Dll, COKE. 237

see the kingdom of God :) tlie wliole crew seemed
deeply affected, and tlie consequent labours of my
brethren and myself deepened the impressioms
they had received. They were eager to read any
books we gave them. Instead of the loose songs
they sung among themselves at the beginning of
the voyage, they delighted in meeting together to
read oiu" books. "When we parted, the teai-s
trickled down many of their cheeks : they shewed
the greatest earnestness to squeeze us by the hand:
and when our boat dropped astern, they gave us
three as hearty cheers (which is one of tlieir ways
of expressing affection) as, I believe, ever were
given by a company of sailors.

As we knew no one in the island, and the
expences in this country at the inns are enormous,
I embraced the opportunity, as soon as we landed,
of sending Messrs. Lumb and Gamble to oiu' friends
on the island of St. Vincent, by a merchant-sliij)
which sailed that very evening. As Mr. Pearce
(who remained with m^e) informed me that a com-
pany of soldiers who resided sometime ago at Kin-
sale, in Ireland, and among whom tlieie were
several pious persons, were now, he believed, in
Barbadoes, I desired him to go in search of them.
In two hours he brought back with him one of
the soldiers ; and soon afterwards we were joined
by a Serjeant, who on seeing Mr. Pearce, and
recollecting him, seized him in his arms in the
most kind and affectionate manner.

Our friends the soldiers scon informed us,
that the love of Christ had constrained them to
bear a public testimony for God ; and that a Mr.
Button, a merchant of the town, had provided for
them a large room which he formerly used as a
warehouse, in which they exhorted. We imme-
diately determined to make a visit to this kind
merchant the next morning : but he prevented

238 LIFE OF DR. COKE.

\is by an invitation to breakfast with him,
being previously informed by the soldiers of our
arrival.

To my gi-eat surprize I found that Mr. But-
ton knew me well : and though I had no personal
acquaintance with him, he had frequently heard
me preach at Baltimore, in xJaryland. Four of
his black servants had been baptized by me at that
time, and one of them (a woman) is truly alive to
God. His lady is a native of this island. His
house, his heart, his oil seemed to be at our ser-
vice. AVe discharged our bill at the inn, and
Ibund an asylum indeed with this our benevolent
fi'iend. After breakfast, Mr. Pearce and 1 paid
our respects to the governor of the island, who
received us with great politeness. In the evening
I preached at Mr. Button's house to about three
hundred persons, about twice as many being
obliged to go away for want of room. The next
evening I had as large a congregation as on the
former. Many heard with deep attention, whilst
1 endeavoured to shew them how the Comforter
convinces them of sin, righteousness and judg-
ment. In the morning I rode into the country to
visit a gentleman, (Henry Trotman, Esq.) for
whom my kind friend, Mr. Dornford, of London,
liad procured for me a letter of recommendation,
in order to open a way for Mr. Pearce into the
country ; but very providentially there were two
gentlemen of the same christian and sur-name in
the island, and I was led to the house of the gen-
tleman of that name, for wliom my letter was not
intended. He received me with the utmost polite-
ness, and after I had breakfasted and dined Avith
him, and laid before him our plan of operations,
lie informed me that his house should be always
open to my friend IMr. Pearce, and his slaves at
liis command at all proper hours. He has about
tAvo hundred.

LIFE OF DR. COKE. 239

On Sunday morning, after INIr. Pearce had
f)reached at seven o'clock, we breakfasted accord-
ing to invitation with the curate of the parish,
who received us with gi'eat civihty. After dinner
a note was sent me by the master of a free-school,
offering me his great school-room for my evening's
duty; where I had a very large and attentive
congregation, many of the principal gentiy of the
town attending. In the evening Mr. Erring-ton,
one of the magistrates and post-master-general of
the island, made us a visit and supped with us. —
Between thirty and forty years ago he had fre-
quently heard INIr. Wesley and liis brother preach
in our chapel in Newcastle-upon-Tyne. He ex-
pressed the greatest satisfaction and approbation of
our designs, warmly invited INIr. Pearce to visit
him frequently, and told us he should be happy
on all occasions to yield us any service in his
power.

On Monday morning I visited the Mr. Trot-
man whom I had in vain sought on Saturday. He
is a plain country gentleman, has about two hun-
dred and fifty negroes on his plantations, and after
dinner informed me that he would himself take
the first opportunity of waiting on Mr. Pearce,
and should be happy in having any of his slaves
instructed by him.

Having thus finished the business which lay
before me in this island, I took a place in a vessel
boimd for St. Vincent's, and expecting to sail in
the evening, desired Mr. Pearce to preach ; as tlie
violent heat into which preaching throws us in
this climate, would have rendered it very hazard-
ous to have gone on the water: and I had the plea-
sure to find that he gave imiversal satisfaction to a
large congregation.

At Mr. Button's there were three ladies on a
visit, who have a plantation and many negTocs,

340 LIFE OF DPt. COKE.

and have, I trust, in some degree received Divine
impressions by our means. Their house will be
opened to IMr. Fearce whenever he pleases : and
our soldiers have engaged to hold prayer-meetings
In different parts of the town three or four times
a week.

Thus, by a series of remarkable providences, a
wide door seems to be opened for us in Barbadoes.
This island is most favourably circumstanced for
the increase of the work of God. It is twenty-
two miles long, and fifteen broad. It is said to
contain about seventy thousand blacks, and from
twenty-five to thirty thousand whites. The island
is also in general divided into very small farms or
plantations, so that even among the whites, there
are thousands whose incomes are very small, and
many who are very poor, and who cannot there-
fore indulge themselves in all the extremes of sen-
suality, in the manner too many do in this luxu-
riant country.

»ei5«

Section IL

ON the 11th inst. I landed at St. Vincent's.
and in a few hours after set off with Mr. Baxter
for the Caribb country, preaching in the evening
to a lovely company of negroes in a little town
called Caliaqua. The next day we were joined by
Messrs. Gamble and Clark, and reached the house
of our hospitable friend. Dr. Davidson ; who set
off with us in the morning to visit the Caribbs. —
The roads, or rather narrow paths, over the moun-
tains which form the boundaries between the Eng-
lish and the Caribbs, are the worst and the most
tremendous I ever rode. Some time ago Mr.
Baxter nearly lost his life in crossing them. His

LIFE OF DE. COKE. 341

horse fell down a precipice of thirty feet perpen-
dicular, and the hind legs of the horse were just
over the precipice before he was alarmed, when
he immediately threw himself off. In one place,
we could not even lead our horses, till a company
of Caribbs who were passing by, lent us their cut-
lasses, with which we at last cut open a way. —
When Ave had descended the great mountain, we
came into one of the most beautiful plains I ever
saw in my life, it is but seven miles long, and
three broad, but I think it is as beautiful as uncvd-
tivated nature can make it. It forms a bow, the
string of which is washed by the Atlantic ocean,
and the bow itself surrounded by lofty mountains.
Here the Caribbs chiefly dwell. As we passed by
their villages, they stood at their doors in ranks,
crying out, " Bou jou, JSou Jou ;" (a corruption
of lion Jour, a good day:) others cried out,
" How dee. How dee ; and many of them on
being asked, delivered their cutlasses into our
hands, which is the highest proof of confidence
they can give. We had with us at this time one
of the sons of the grand chief of the Caribbs
(Chateaway.) He has been under the tuition of
Mr. and Mrs. Baxter for some time, and speaks a
good deal of English. His name is John Dimmey,
a fine young man, and of a princely carriage. —
His father the grand chief was gone from home ;
if I could have seen the father, I believe I should
have obtained his consent to take his son with me
to England. His sentiments are highly refined
for a savag*^. " Teach me your language, Dim-
mey," said Mr. Baxter to him one day, " and I
will give you my watch." " I will teach you my
language," replied the young chief, " but I will
not have your watch."

When we entered into the house of one of

8 H h

2i2 LIFE OF DR. COKE.

the chiefs whose name is De Valley, Mr. Dimmey,
whispered to jNIr. Baxter, that the family would
not be satisfied, if we did not take some refresh-
ment, to which we consented: and they soon
brought a large dishful of eggs and Cassada-bread,
and a bowl of punch. Mr. Dimmey alone could
be with difficulty persuaded to sit down with us
at the table, the rest would serve. A little son of
the chief also, (a very beautiful boy for his colour,
who had been under the instruction of Mr. Bax-
ter, and had been already tanght to spell) gave us
high entertainment by the convincing proof he
afforded us of an infant o'enius.

But in the midst of all this kindness there
was some degree of jealousy : for I perceived that
Mr. Baxter several times informed them that I
received no pay from the king. Mr. Baxter
seemed to live in their affections; and he has
already made a considerable progress in their lan-
guage, I could not help intreating him to spend
two years among them, and give them a full trial.
Great as the cross was to that good man who
expected to return to his beloved Antigua, he
immediately consented. On our return from the
Caribb country, I visited our new school-house,
and found it much larger than I expected, and far
too large for one family. I therefore ordered the
workmen to divide it : one half of which I appro-
priated to the use of Mr. and IMrs. Baxter, and
the other half to that of Mr. and ^Irs. Joice. As
Mrs. Baxter intends to educate some of the Caribb
girls, we shall now have three teachers among
tliem. The conduct of Mrs. Baxter in this instance
is not to be overlooked. Though born of a con-
siderable family in Antigua, and brought up in all
the softness and luxury of the country, she readily
consented some years ago, that her husband should
sacrifice a place of four hundred a year currency

LIFE OF DK. COKE. 243

which he held under government, t})/it lie might
devote his whole time and strength to the work of
God ; and now was perfectly wilhng to go with
him among savages, and spend her time in form-
ing their totally uncultivated minds.

I was very uneasy when 1 found that little
had yet been done by Mr. Joice in the e^ducation
of the children ; but when all the difficulties were
laid open, in the proper settlement of the land on
which the house was built, in bringing the mate-
rials for building to the proper spot, the illness of
IMrs. Joice, and some other particulars, my mind
wa§ satis^ed, and I trust every thing will soon
have the niost favourable appearance through the
l^lessing of God.

i feel myself much attached to these poor
s-avages. The sweet simplicity and cheerfulness
tliey manifested on every side, soon M^ore off every
unfavourable impression my mind had imbihrd
from the accounts I had received of their cruelties
— Cruelties originating probably with ourselves
rather than with them. I'hey are a handsomer
people than the negroes, but have undoubtedly a
warlike appearance, as their very women frequently
carry cutlasses in their hands, and always knives
by their naked sides.

We now returned to Kingston, preaching hy
the way, and received by the planters with every
mark of kindness and respect. Indeed the whole
body of the people seem to wish us success. —
Many were the proofs of affection shewn us at our
departure, especially by one whose delicacy will
not admit of my mentioning his name.

Having appointed Messrs. Gamble and Clark
to labour in the English division of the island (Mr.
Baxter now and then making them a visit) I hired
a vessel for Dominica ; and with Mr. and Mrs.
Baxter (who were desirous of making one visit td

244 LIFE OF DR. COKE.

their old friends in Antigua before they settled
among the Caribbs) and Sir. Lumb, set sail on
Tuesday, the 16th, for Dominica.

It may not be improper in this place to add a
short account of the Caribbs.

50«

Section III.

A short account of the Caribbs hi. the idaiid of
St. Vincent.^

BY the best accounts which I have been able
to collect, the black Caribbs originally sprung from
the cargo of a Guinea ship, which was wrecked
on one of the Grenadilloes. They were brought
over to this island by the yellow Caribbs, who
were the aborigines or native inhabitants, with
many of whom they were soon connected, form-
ing a motley mixture, such as we now see ; but
in which the negro colour and features chiefly pre-
vail. They continued in this interchange of good
offices, till such time as the black Caribbs perceived
their superiority to the others in number and
strength, who then drove the yellow Caribbs to
the leeward part of the island, where a few of
them only now remain. The greater part of the
latter went to the islands of Tobago and Trinidad,
in both of which islands their posterity are to be
seen at present.

It is unnecessary to follow them througli the
detail of their wars, and of their treaties with the
French, who at length formed a settlement ui the
island. At the treaty of peace in 1763, the

* I was furnished with the materials for the following' account,
W Dr. Davidson, a physician, who resides on the borders of the
daribb-country.

LIFE OF Dll. COKE. 24t5

Caribbs possessed the most valuable part of this
island. By the treaty which was made with them
in 1773, they gave up an extent of country, com-
prehending about fourteen miles in length, and
from three to four in breadth ; only part of which
was settled in 1779, when the French invaded the
island. Their jealousies and hatred of the Eng-
lish, which had been industriously kept up by the
French, joined with some private causes of dissa-
tisfaction, led them to take an active part against
us : and the dread of their barbarities had no small
effect in inducing the inhabitants so soon to capi-
tulate. The settlements oh the ceded lands were
almost totally abandoned, after the most shocking
cruelties had been exercised by tlie Caribbs on tlie
wretched victims of their rage. The French, du-
ring the time that the island belonged to tliem,
left the Caribbs in the quiet and peaceable posses-
sion of their lands. Since the island has been
restored to us, we have once more attempted a
settlement on the ceded lands, and hitherto with-
out interruption ; and we sincerely hope that the
present good disposition of the Caribbs will long-
continue.

It is a very difficult matter to fix precisely on
their numbers, for reasons which are too obvious
to need being mentioned. The best informed on
the subject speak with uncertainty. However,
few have fixed their numbers below five thousand :
I would rather suppose even that calculation to be
short. From their temperance ; their being unac-
customed to hard labour, the healthiness of the
climate, their early marriages, and the fruitful ness
of their women, we may easily account for their
rapid increase. — We may add to these consider-
ations, the fruitfulness of the soil, and the ease
with which the few necessaries of life are
procured.

246 LIFE OF DR. COKE.

It is a difficult matter to .^ay wliat ideas they
have of a Supreme Being. The French took biit
little pains to instruct them in Religion. They
Iiave some faint ideas of a Supreme Cause whicli
created all things, but they conceive that God
commits the government of the world to subordi-
nate Spirits. They make use pf several incanta-
tions against evil spirits to prevent their maUgnant
influence.

The black Caribbs, differing so little from the
negroes whom they saw employed in the occupa-
tions of the field, soon perceived the necessity of
a discrimination founded on more obvious marks
than that of complexion ; and therefore adopted
a plan of flattening their children's foreheads,
which is done by applying to the forehead a small
board defended by soft cotton and tied behind.
T'he child, the moment it is bom, is submitted to
this operation, which is continued for two or
three months. Some exceptions are, however, to
be made to this general rule. Twins, from a sup-
position of their being weakly, and children who
are sickly at their birth, are exempted. The oper-
ation is also longer continued upon the male than
on tlie female child. Honid distortions of the
countenance, squinting, &cc. occasioned by the
board's being unequally or ill-applied, are fre-
quently observable.

The marriages of the Caribbs take place at an
early age, and are generally made by the parents
of both parties without consulting the inclinations
of the female ; a house is erected for them, and
the little iurniture which they require, is provided.
The wife is soon made acquainted with the labour
of the field : she plants the cassada, the yams,
potatoes, &:c. and prepares and dresses them for
the indolent male, whose sole occupation is either
shooting Avild pigeons. Indian rabbits, and mannfi*

LIFE OF DR. COKE- 247

tovLS, (the opossa,) or fishing. When the husband
finds himself in the situationof taking more wives,
he obtains them from their parents : many of them
have four or five. On tliat event, they build sepa-
rate houses for each wife, spending their time
alternately with them. So entirely, however, are
the wives devoted to the despotism of, their hus-
bandsi that quarrels among them are never known.
Adultery is punished with death. In no part of
the world are the women more chaste, owing,
possibly to the severity with which incontinence is
punished.

When a husband leaves any of his wives,
they are not at liberty to marry again till his
death ; in that case only is it in their power to
make an election. No slavery can be conceived
more wretched than that of the women, the whole
labour without and within doors devolving on
them. Nor is this all : whenever frequent child-
bearing, or any other cause, has made them look
old or ugly, their husbands leave them for other
wives ; for whom, and their children, they are
likewise obliged to do all the most laborious
offices. Their husbands frequently, in their
scenes of drunkenness and debauchery, wound
and maim them with their cutlasses, and even
shoot them.

Nor is there among them the smallest tracCvS
of policy or natural justice. The Lex Talionis
is their only rule, provided the party has the
power or abilities to redress himself A little
time ago an instance happened shocking to huma-
nity. Manuel, a Caribb, had a sister remarked

by her sable lovers, for her beauty and handsome

Eerson, of whom she had not a few. She could
owever, be only the lot of one ; and he to whose
lot she fell, was the friend and intimate acquaint-
ance of Manuel. Her husband and she lived for

24r8 LIFE OF DR. COKE.

some time peaceably and comfortably together,
till a quarrel happened between his sister and his
wife ; they proceeded to blows, when the husband
interposed between them with his cutlass, made a
push at his wife, and wounded her under the eye,
of whicli Avound she immediately expired. The
The only redress ^vhich Manuel required for the

loss of his sister, was that the husband should

put to death his own sister ; which he did by car-
rying her down to the river Colon orie in the
forenoon, and murdering her with the greatest
barbarity.

The Caribbs are naturally temperate in their
meals, then- food chiefly consisting of roots and
other vegetables here produced by the indulgent
hand of Providence in the utmost profusion. —
Cassada, howevei', furnishes them with the gTeatest
supply, which they bake into cakes on thin plates
of iron, procured from the Europeans. Tliey
make but little or no use of salt ; sometimes only
they indulge themselves with a kind of soup called
Tumallen, which is prepared in a singular manner.
They take equal parts of the juice of the Cassada
(which, by the by, without this preparation is
poisonous) and sea- water, with crabs or cray fish
bruised, and a large proportion of pepper. The
whole is well boiled, and used as sauce to their
otherwise insipid cassada. At their feasts they
use a fermented liquor prepared from cassada,
pines, &c. called Vicou or Ouicou ; the prepara-
tion of which is sufficiently disgusting to the sight
of an European; the cassada being sometimes
previously chewed before infusion. The saliva
occasions a quicker fermentation of the drink,
which is soon fit for use. Since their acquaintance
with the Europeans, the means of intoxication are
more common.

Their houses were originally built of long

LIFE OF DR COKE. 249

pliant boughs bent in a semicircular foiin, and
iixed in the ground at each end, about fourteen
feet in length, and twelve feet in breadth ; and
they are very neatly thatched with the leaves of
the roseau. Since their acquaintance with us,
they have improved in the structure of their
houses, which are now formed of hard wood posts
fixed in the ground, plates and rafters ; and are
still thatched with the roseau or reed. The sides
of them are wattled, and closely covered in, so as
to exclude the wind. The doors are rudely formed
out of the white cedar, and move upon little
pivots; for they employ very little iron in the
fabric.

The whole furnitiu-e of the house consists of
seats formed out of logs, their hammocks, the
calabash formed into cups and spoons, a cassada-
grater, a serpentine p*e&s, a wooden trough, and
a cassada iron-plate, and sometimes a few articles
4)f earthen-ware.

The w^hole labour of the field, as formerly
mentioned, is performed by the women. The
cassada-sticks are planted in little hillocks which
they raise at two feet distance. At the end of nine
or twelve months they are pulled up, clean-washed,
scraped with a blunt knife, and rubbed on a gra-
ter, which is formed of a piece of board, into
which small pebbles are stuck. One end of the
grater leans against their breast, the other end de-
clines into a large wooden trough, into which the
grated cassada falls ; it is then put into a press,
which is very ingeniously made of the fibres of a
plant resembling the wild plantain, and formed
into the shape of a snake about the thickness
of a man\s tliigh. The press being filled with the
grated cassada, they suspend it fi*om the house or
from a tree, and affix weights to the other end,
8 r I i

250 LIFE OF DR. COKE.

whereby the poisonous juice is strongly expressed:
the cassada is then passed through a sieve which
they hkewise make rery ingeniously, on a plate
of iron put over a fire ; and being strongly pressed
with a wooden spatula, it forms itself into a cake,
which, when sufficiently toasted on one side, is
turned, and toasted on the other.^ — This makes
the constant food of the Caribbs, except when the
men can procure an agouty (an Indian rabbit,) or
a wild pigeon, or sometimes the crab or the cray-
fish, and at other times the sea-fish, which they
are very dexterous in catching. But their prin-
,cipal dependence in respect to fish, is on those
which they procure by poisoning the rivers : for
this purpose the men of the Avhole district are
summoned ; part of whom are employed in pro-
curing the plants which are used for that purpose,
viz. the dogwood-bark or erythrina lina, and the
figesbeckia : others divert the course of the river,
if it is too large, leaving no more water than they
can conveniently poison. The weeds" are then
strongly beat, and their juices expressed and
mixed with the water, and presently communi-
cate their inebriating effects to the finnv inhabi-
tants, which soon swim with their bellies on tlie
surface of the water, and allow themselves to be
easily taken. — It is observable, that though thou-
sands of the young fry are destroyed, no ill efiects
ever happen from tlie use of the fish. This is a
practice, however, which should be particularly
discouraged, as it almost entirely destroys
the fry.

Another practice they observe, which is very
destructive : The river-fish in . tliese parts com-
mence spawning about the end of July, when tliey
drop their ova at the mouths of the rivers, which
are then crowded with innumerable shoals of sea-
fish, such as snappers, groupers, king-fish, &c. —

LIFE OF DR. COKE. 251

The young fr}^ instantly attem])t to force their
passage up the rivers, and are in such numbers as
to blacken the waters. A single person may in a
few hours catch a busliel of them. Hundi-eds of
Caribbs may be tlien seen repairing to the rivers,
and loading themselves with the tritrixes (so the
French name them after the Caribbs.) — They are
very delicious, and by drying in the sun will keep
for some time.

The Caribbs in general, both men and women,
go naked, with the exception of a piece of cloth a
yard in length, and about a foot broad, whicli
they wear round their middle, open to the left
side; this is always died of an orange colour with
the rocou. The women also wear a garter below
each knee, bound pretty tight. The unmarried
women and the widows omit the right garter. —
Both sexes paint their bodies with streaks of rocou :
the men only colour their faces black oji certain
occasions. But on all occasions the men carry
with them a sabre or cutlass, and in general a
loaded musket, which is ever on the cock. Quar-
rels are so frequent among them, tliat they are ever
in di'ead of meeting with some one with whom
they are at enmity. Murders and assassinations
are therefore very frequent, and their animosities
perpetually kept up. Every district of two or
three miles in length, has its peculiar chief, who,
how^ever, has not the smallest shadow of authority,
except in time of war.

They are very ingenious in making baskets,
hammocks, and fishing-lines of the silk-grass ;
but the principal article of their commerce is the
tobacco, with which they chiefly supply the ^lar-
tinico market, where it is manufactured into a snufF
caUed Macouba, from a district in Martinique, which
formerly raised the best tobacco in the AVest Indies.
From Martinico they import muskets, gunpowder,

252 LIFE OF DH. COKE.

flints, balls, and cutlasses, some wine, and an
inferior kind of mm called taffia.

They carry on their intercourse in canoes of
their own making; some of which are large
enough to contain fifty of them. Nothing can
equal their skill in managing them in the most
tempestuous seas.

Their intercourse with jMartinique certainly
tends to debauch their morals, and to increase that
prejudice and aversion, which they hare always
had against the English government. As many
of them speak the same language with the inha-
bitants of Martinique, and have been long ac-
quainted with them, they have rto jealousy or
suspicion of any designs which they can entertaiii
against their liberty, and therefore are the more
ready to listen to their suggestions. It is at Mar-
tinique also where their wants are best supplied ;
and it is only there where they can vend their
tobacco. The comparison of the French island
with ours, in respect to wealth, population,
shipping, grandeur, &:c. is by no means in our
favour.

But we cannot expect to have much inter-
course with these people till public scliools are
established to teach their childi-en the English Ian-
giiage, reading, and writing, and they are after-
wards brought up to husbandry, or some trade or
occupation. The girls may likewise be brought
up, and taught by school-mistresses in sewing,
and knitting stockings. In the Spanisli island of
Trinidad, the Indians have been brought up and
instructed in the principles of the Roman Catholic
religion with amazing assiduity and success.—
There is a remarkable manufacture of stockings
carried on by the Spanish Indians, which sell
from three to six dollars per pair.

They liave already got among them the

LIFE OF DR. COKE. 25S

Tocoii, which they maniitiicture and carry to IMar-
tinique. This also should be encouraged. The la
pitte, or silk-oTass, affords the strongest cords in
nature, and the threads are so fine as to be em-
ployed in sewing cambric. With it they form
fishing-lines.

Their language is by no means difficult to be
acquired. The number of words are but few,
sufficient to express the ideas of their savage life.
Their language, like their natures, is harsh and
dissonant. They speak with the utmost impetuo-
sity, as if they were constantly in a passion ; liut
the French language is very much spoken by
them.

iSECTION IV.

Jamaica, Fehruai'y 3, 1789.

ON Friday, the 19th, we landed at Roseau,
in Dominica, and found our former kind friend
Mrs. Webley ready to receive us. She liad been
informed by one of our local preachers of St.
Kitt's, who had lately made a visit to this island,
of my intention to visit her soon ; and accordingly
with some other friends hired a large room for a
preaching-place. After waiting on Governor Orde,
who, I think, is as polite a man as ever I was in
company with, I preached in the evening, and on
the Sunday following : IMr. Baxter also preached
two sermons, whilst I made a visit to mv old
friend Mr. Cherrurier, and opened a door or two
among the blacks in his neiglibourhood. Before
we left the island, we formed a little society of
twenty-four desiring souls, some of whom had
^een members of our connection in Antigua and

25-4 LIFE OF DR, COKE.

St. Kitt's; and determined that Mr. M'Cornock
should take the care of this island.

On the 24th we landed at Antigua. Surely
this island is the favourite of heaven. It is suppos-
ed that it contains 7,000 whites, and 30,000 blacks ;
and out of these 2,800 are in our society ; and I be-
lieve the Moravians have not fewer than 2,000 in
tlieirs. So great a leaven is not known perhaps in
so small a country throughout the world. ]My
congregation in St. John's, and one more in the
country, would not have disgraced even those
parts of England, where we have met with the
greatest success.

I should not forget to acknowledge the use-
fulness of Mr. Warrener in this religious island :
though INlr. Baxter has been indeed the father,
under God, of this blessed work. Mr. ^^^arrener
has added not less than a thousand worthy
members (I have reason to believe) to this
society

Nor should the beautiful proof of love which
our society in this island give to their sick mem-
bers, be over-looked. They attend them in their
respective neighbourhoods with the greatest dili-
gence and patience ; and where it is wanting, pro-
vide every kind of medical help for them, with-
out regarding the expence.

Till lately the island was annually governed
by martial-law on Christmas-day and the two days
following, the negroes always being allowed those
three days for themselves, on which many tumults
and even robberies had been committed : but reli-
gion has now rendered this custom needless, and
the declaration of martial-law is become a mere
matter of form.

On the 27th of December we set sail for the
island of St. Christopher. In our way we touched
at Montserrat ; but our only friend in that island,

LIFE or DR. COKE. SSS

one of the most respectable characters in it, not
being at home, we resumed our voyage.

On the 29th, we landed at Basse-Terre, the
principal town of St. Kitt's. And here justice
obliges me to bear a testimony of the good which
has been wrought by Mr. Hammet, who has been
the instrument of one of the greatest worl^js of
God I have known in the circle of my labours,
considering the time he has been employed in it,
and the nature of the work in which he has been
engaged. In two years he has raised in this island,
which was barren of all religion at the commence-
ment of his labours, a society of seyen hundred
members, a great part of whom, I have reason to
believe, are members of Christ. Here the Lord
has poured out the spirit of prophecy; two
preachers being raised in this society, who are
capable and willing to devote themselves entirely
to the work of the ministry in this part of the
world.

The second morning after my arrival, we
were visited with a tremendous earthquake. The
beds, the rooms, the whole house in which we
were, shook most terribly for several seconds. —
The shock was felt in other islands.

From St. Kitt's we visited St. Eustatius. On
Wednesday^ the 31st of December^ We landed
there, and were received by Mr. Lindsey, one of
our friends, with every mark of kindness. We
soon found that poor Harry was banished from the
island. When he stood before the governor and
council, to answer for the unpai'donable crime of
praying with the people, one of the council ob-
served to him " Harry you must be flogged :" to
which he calmly replied, " Christ was flogged,
and why should not I ?" Soon after which they
condemned him to be publicly whipped, impri-
soned and banished. The whipping was executed

256 LIFE or DK. COKE.

in a most unmerciful manner under the directioJi
of one Isaac de Lion,* a black man, and an enemy
to all righteousness — such a picture of Satan for
subtilty and barbarity, never, I think, before did
I behold. He is the great executioner of all the
cruel edicts of the court for the persecution of the
children of God.

The most famous or rather the most infamous
edict which the rulers of this island have pubUsh-
ed, is as follows : —

" That if any white person should be found
praying with his brethren — ^fbr the first offence he
should be fined fifty pieces of eight ; for the second,
one hundred pieces ; and for the third he should
be whipped, his goods be confiscated, and he
should then be banished the island. That if a
coloured man should be found praying — for the
first offence he should receive thirty-nine lashes ;
and for the second, if free, he should be whipped
and banished ; but if a slave, be whipped every
time."

This, I think, is the first instance known
among mankind, of a persecution openly avowed
against religion itself. The persecutions among
the heathens were supported under the pretence
that the Christians brought in strange Gods. —
Those among the Roman Catholics were under the
pretext of the Protestants introducing heresies
into the church. But this is openly and avowedly
against prayer, the great key to every blessing.
How such a diaboHcal persecution can be suffered
in this hberal and tolerating age, is really sur-
prising !

However, we ventured to baptize about one
hundred and forty of our society. And even

* The very sama man who received me with so much IcimJncss
on my Ibrnier visit.

LIFE OF DK. COKE. 257

imder tins heavy cross and hot persecution, our
numbers amount to two hundred and fifty -eight;
and of those, v/e have reason to believe that one
hundred and thirty-nine have tasted that the Lord
is gracious.

On Thursday, the 1st of January, we hired
a sloop to carry us back to St. Christopher's. But,
behold ! as soon as we began to sail, we found that
all the sailors were entirely di'unk, the captain
excepted. In a httle time, they di'ove the sloop
against a large ship and damaged the boom and the
yards of the main-mast. Soon afterwards, when
we came to the end of the island, instead of cros-
sing the channel to St. Kitt's, the sloop was carry-
ing us into the open sea in its shattered condition.
We then determined to return ; but there was no
one to turn the sloop about, till with great diffi-
culty my friends, the Missionaries, unacquainted
with such business, brought it round : and after
running against another ship, by which the rudder
was broke, and the stern much damaged ; and after
bribing the captain with ten dollars, to save his
own life as well as ours ; we were landed again on
tlie island of St. Eustatius.

This series of misfortunes which obliged us to
return, appeared a loud call of Providence, for
me to bear a public testimony for Jesus Christ :
and therefore, lest any of our friends should suffer
whipping, confiscation of goods, or banishment,
by admitting me to preach in their houses, I hired
a large room for a month, and the next day
preached to a quiet and attentive congregation,
and published myself for the Lord's-day follow-
ing.— xlll was peace till late in the evenmg, when
the governor sent for Mr. Lindsey at whose
house I was, and threatened him with tenible
punishments.

9 Kk

25S LIFE OF DR. COKE.

In the morning, while we were at breakfast,
the marshal of the court entel-ed with great form,
unci delivered us a message from the governor and
fisclial, which was, that they required us to pro-
mise, that we would not, publicly or privately,
by day or by night, preach either to whites or to
blacks during our stay in^ that island, under the
penalty, on default, of prosecution, of ai^hitrccry
j)umsliment^ (that w^as the t^ery expression,) and
banishment from the island. We withdrew to
consult; and after considering that we were fa-
voured by Providence with an open door in other
islands for as many missionaries as we could spare,
and that God was carrying on his blessed work
even on this island by the means of secret class^
meetings, and that Divine Providence may in
future redress these grievances by a change of the
governor, or by the interference of tlie superior
powers in Holland in some other way, we gave
for answer *' That we would obey the govern-
ment;" and having nothing more at present ta
do in tins place of tyranny, oppression and wrong,
we returned to St. Kitt's, blessing God for
a British constitution, and a British govern-
ment.

But let me intreat, let me implore, all those
who read or hear this journal, to remember that
dear pei'secuted people in their daily prayers, that
the God who heareth prayer, may be graciously
inclined, either to turn the hearts of the rulers of
vSt. Eustatius to mercy and truth, or the hearts of
their superiors in Holland to disarm them of their
so much abused power.

From St. Kitt's we also made two visits to the
island of Nevis. Here we were obliged to lie on
the floor for two nights upon our hammocks, but
God has opened in this island a wide door for the
gospel. And the kindness of two or three gentle-

■ LIFE OF DR. COKE. 259

men, particularly the judge of the admiralty to
'vvhom we are highly obliged, rendered our situa-
tion tolerably comfortable. We formed here a
class of twenty -one catechumens, and left the care
of the island to Mr. Owens.

On Wednesdaii evening, the 14tli of Jan.
we set off for tlie island of Saba, which belongs
to Holland. We had left at St. Eu statins, ]Mr.
Erazier one of our missionaries, who had been
raised under ]Mr. Hannnet ; and who had not been
included in the Avonderful message sent to us by
the governor and fischal, there having been only
tjii'ee mentioned, ^Ir. Hammet, Mr. IMeredith
and myself. However, tlie governor of St. Eus-
tatius, all on fire to persecute, soon found him
out, and by his threatenings dislodged him. Mr.
Brazier, by the advice of a gentleman of the island,
a man in power, but a Mcodemus, removed to the
island of Saba.

When we landed, we were obliged to walk
up a rock a mile in lengtli, which was in several
places nearly perpendicular. Behig informed that
Mr. Brazier was at the house of the governor, we
immediately went there, and were received with
the utmost kindness and hospitality by him, liis
family, and the inhabitants in general.

The little island of Saba contains about one
tiiousand whites and about two thousand blacks,
men, women and children included. For seven-
teen years that simple-hearted people have been
without a regular minister. The governor, coun-
cil and people petitioned that Mr. Brazier, wlio
had preached three times in the church, (which is
no contemptible building) might remain among
them. I informed them of our oeconomy, and
particularly of our grand and indispensable custom
ef changing our ministers. They were willing to
comply with eevry thing, to grant to our minister

260 LIFE OF BR. COKE,

the parsonage-house and to allow him a suiHcieiit
maintenance. What could I do ? Mr. Brazier
was appointed to labour under Mr. Hammet, at
Jamaica ; but I could not bear that this delightful
people should perish for lack of knowledge. I
left, therefore, JNIr. Brazier behind me, having
spent two pleasing days with these inhabitants of
the rock. May they all be built on the Rock of
Ages !

My heart is too much engaged in the interests
of this plain, honest colony, for me to omit trans^
cribing the sentiments of a celebrated French
writer concerning them and their island.

" Tliis is a steep rock, on the summit of
which is a little ground, very proper for garden-
ing.* Frequent rains which do not lie any time
on the soil, give growth to plants of an exquisite
flavour, and cabbages of an extraordinarv size. —
Throughout America there is no blood so pure as
that of Saba ; the women there preserve a fresh-
ness of complexion, which is not to be found in
any other of the Caribbee-islands. Happy colony !
Elevated on the top of a rock, between the sky'
and the sea, it enjoys the benefit of both elements
without dreading their storms. The inhabitants
breathe a pure air, live upon vegetables, cultivate
a smiple commodity, from which they derive ease
without the temptation of riches ; are employed
in labours less troublesome than useful ; and pos-
sess in peace all the blessings of moderation, health,
l^eauty and liberty.

" This is the temple of peace, from whence the
philosopher may contemplate at leisure the errors
and passions of men, who come like the sea, to strike
and dash themselves on the rich coast of America,

» This little island is about fifteen or sixteen ipiles in cir-
cumference

%

LIFE OF BR. COKE. 261

the spoils and possessions of which they are perpe-
tually contending for, and wresting from each
other. Hence may he view at a distance the na-
tions of Europe, bearing thunder in the midst of
the ocean, and burning ^with the flames of ambi-
tion and avarice under the tropics, devouring gold
without ever being satisfied, wading through seas
of blood to amass those metals, those pearls, those
diamonds which are used to adorn the oppressors
of mankind; loading innumerable ships with those
precious casks, which furnish luxury with purple,
and from which flow pleasures, effeminacy, cru-
elty and debauchery. The tranquil inhabitant of
Saba views this mass of follies, and spins in peace
the cotton which constitutes all his finery and
wealth."*

On the 17th we landed at Tortola. This
island which contains about 1,000 whites and 8,000
blacks is indeed ripe for the gospel. It seems to
be the general cry of the negroes throughout the
island, " Let us have, if possible, a Methodist
minister.

After giving the inhabitants of Koad-Town,
(the principal town of this island) t-vvo sermons,
we sailed for Santa Cruz, an island belonging to
Denmark. This last mentioned island is supposed
to contain about 30,000 inhabitants, who in general
speak the English language. It is highly culti-
vated ; and the town of Basse-End, its capital, is
far the most beautifid I have seen in the Caribbee
islands. The governor general, through the warm
recommendation of a Avorthy and respectable friend
in London, received us with great courtesy, and

* Soon after I left the West Indies, the Governor of St. Ensta-
tlus, wlio is Governor-general of all the Dutch Carihbee islands, with
the most implacable spirit of persecution, forced the g-overnor and
council of Saba to part with Mr. Brazier, though they did it wLlh
sorrow and reluctance, as they afterwards assured mc by a letter.

262 LIFE OF DR. COKE.

promised us all tlie protection and encouragement
in his power.

Two gentlemen in the town shewed us many
marks of respect, and an old Quaker-lady per-
mitted me to preach in her house, and afterwards
informed me that it should be always at our
service,

And now I found myself in the utmost doubt,
and knew not which way to turn. JMr. Hammet
\vas appointed for Jamaica ; and there was no other
missionary to secure tlie advantages which the
Lord had given us in these two islands. At last
we determined that Mr. Hammet should divide
his labours between Tortola and Santa Cruz, till
two missionaries are sent from England to prose-
cute the openings which Divine Providence has
afforded us, and, which, I doubt not, JMr. Ham-
met in the mean time will greatly improve. I
shall also, God willing, visit Jamaica, to prepare
his way in that populous and important island.

After my return from Santa Cruz to Tortola,
I had a very providential escape, in going late in
the evening from the quay to the ship, in which I
was to sail the next morning for Jamaica. In the
mid-way between the shore and the ship, about
the distance of a mile fi'om each, a young man
v/ho sat behind me, observed with some surprize,
that the water came over the stern of the boat. — I
put my hand over the side, and found that the edge
of the boat was within an inch of the water. Im-
mediately I observed, that the boat, the bottom
of wluch was very deep and leaky, had let in so
much water, and had sunk so low, that on every
motion the water came in over the stern, as well
as from below ; so that in a few minutes we should
probably have sunk, if our awful situation had not
l)een just then discovered : but after using proper
means to throw out the water, we got safe to the

LIFE OF DR. COKE. 263

ship through the blessing and interference of our
never-failing Friend.

We have now through the blessing of God
on our endeavours, a prospect of much good in
ten of the islands, which unitedly contain about
two hundred and sixty thousand inhabitants,
near four-fifths of whom are covered with hea-
thenish darkness.

JO<=s=—

Section V.

ON the 19th of January, I landed at Port-
Hoyal, in Jamaica. When I landed, Mr. Fishley,
master calker of the harbour, to whom I brought
a letter of recommendation, received me with every
mark of kindness and respect, and introduced me the
next day to Mr. Bull and JMr. Treble, of Kings-
ton, who proved my very valuable friends. In
Mr. Treble's house I preached four times, to small,
but increasing congregations. At last, a gentle-
man of great benevolence (Mr. Burn, a Roman
Catholic) observing the inconveniences the congre-
gation was put to, in Mr. Treble's small, though
neat house (which would have been large enough,
I doubt not, for all the inhabitants of Kingston,
if it had been as large as his heart) most generously
offered me the use of a very large room in one of
his houses, which room has been frequently used
as a public concert-room, and is the largest but
one in the whole town.

The first evening I preached there, the con-
gregation was considerable, and received the word
with great decency, and great attention. Whilst
I was pointing out to the unregenerate, the falla-
ciousness of all their hopes, and the impossibility
of reversing the decree, " Except a man be born

t64i LIFE OF T)-R. COKE.

^ again, he cannot see the kingdom of God," and
seriously enquiring of them whether they had
found out some new gospel as their directory, a
poor negro-woman cried out, " I am sure you arc
a new priest." The second evening the great room
and all the piazzes around it were crowded with
people. I believe there were four hundred whites
present, the largest number of whites I ever
preached to at one time in the AVest Indies, and
about two hundred negroes, there being no room,
I think for more. After 1 had preached about ten
minutes, a company of gentlemen, inflamed with
liquor, began to be very noisy: till at last, the
noise still increasing, they cried out, " Down with
bim, down with him." They then pressed forwards
through the crowd in order to seize me, crying
out again, " AVho seconds that fellow ?" On which
my new, but gallant friend Mr. Bull, stepped
forth between the rioters and me, saying, " I
second him against men and devils." A lady also
of great worth, who in her younger years had
been a member of our society in London, but
through the various vicissitudes of life was now a
resident of Jamaica, who had lately been danger-
ously ill, and during her illness, when all her for-
mer religious impressions returned with all their
weight to her mind, had received a clear manifes-
tation of the pardoning love of God — notwith-
standing all the delicacy of her sex, and her own
peculiar amiableness of disposition, stood up, and
reasoned with the rioters on the impropriety of
their conduct. They now, I believe, were con-
vinced that nine out of ten of the congregation
disapproved of their behaviour, and gave up the
contest, still crying as they descended the stair-
case, " Down with him, down with him."

The spirits of the congregation were so de-
ranged by this unhappy incident^ that I. gave out

LIFE OF DR. COKE. 265

a hymn, and then cliose a new text, and preached
a sermon, with some degree of liberty, I bless
God, to a serious, attentive audience.

Having now received a message from the cap-
tain of the brig in v/hich I had taken a passage
for Charleston, desiring me to repair to Port-
Koyal in order to go on board, I returned to
that little town, where 1 preached three ser-
mons, which many of the white people attended,
the blacks in that place not seeming to regard the
gospel.

I am fidly satisfied that great good might be
done in this island, if the gospel was regularly
preached here with power. A small society of
awakened persons might even at present be
formed both among the whites and blacks in
Kingston.

Indeed this valuable and populous island de-
mands and deserves much of our attention and
exertions, as it probably contains above 300,000
inhabitants, the slaves alone, in the year 1768,
amounting to 217,000 : and in Kingston only thej^
have been nearly doubled since that time.

This I must add in honour of the island, that
I never visited any place either in Europe or
America, in which the gospel was not preached
where I received so many civilities as I did in
Jamaica, four or five families of property having
opened to me their houses, and, very evidently,
their hearts also, and assured me that any mis-
sionaries we shall in future send to that island,
vshall be welcome to beds and every thing their
houses afford.

On the 24th of February, I landed at
Charleston. Mr. Asbury had arrived there several
days before from the North in order to meet me ;
but set off three hours before I landed to be pre-

9 LI

2G6 LIFE OF DR. COKE,

sent at the conference in Georgia. The next day
I followed, and riding in two days as much as
he had in three, overtook him. The first day we
rode forty-seven miles, for about two miles of
which our horses were up to their belhes in water^
with two great invisible ditches on the right and
left. Our elder stationed at Charleston accom-
panied me.

One of the grandest objects to be seen in this
country, is the fires in the woods in the spring.
The inhabitants set fire to the grass and little
shrubs, in order to burn up the dry leaves which
cover the ground, that the grass which gi'ows up
afterwards may be accessible to the cattle. Late
one evening, I saw the most astonishing illumin-
ation, I think, I ever beheld in my life, whilst I
was travelhng through the woods. I seemed sur-
rounded with great, extensive fires : and question
whether the King of France's stag-hunt in his
forest by night, which he sometimes has given to
his nobility, would be more wonderful or enter-
taining to a philosophic eye. Sometimes the fire
catches the oozing turpentine of the pine-trees,
and blazes to the very top. I have seen old, rotten
pine-trees all on foe: the trunks, and the
branches (which looked like so many arms,) were
full of visible fire and made a most grotesque
appearance.

The weather was as cold, as it had been ac-
cording to the information of the people, in any
part of the winter, and was felt by me just come
from the torrid zone, with peculiar severity. Al-
though I clothed myself almost from top to toe
with flannel, I could but just bear the cold. We
had congregations all tlie way, after I met INIr.
Asbury ; but our journies in the back parts of
South Carolma and Georgia were frequently very
trying. Sometimes we lost our way. In one^

LIFE OF DR COKE. 3()7

instance we lost twenty-one miles. A great part
of the way we had nothing in the houses of the
planters but bacon and eggs, and Indian bread.- —
iNIr. Asbury brought with him tea and sugar, with-
out which we should liave been badly off indeed.
In several places we were obliged to lie on the
floor, which indeed, I regarded not, though my
bones were a httle sore in the morning. The
preachers in Europe know but little, in the pre-
sent state of Methodism, of the trials of two-
thirds of the preachers on this continent. And
yet in (what 1 believe to be) a proper view of
things, the people in this country enjoy greater
plenty and abundance of the mere necessaries of
life, than those of any country I ever knew, per-
haps any country in the world. For I have not
in my three visits to this continent, in all of which
I have rode about 5,600 miles, either met with, or
heard of, any white men, women or children,
that have not had as much bacon, Indian corn,
and fuel for foe, as they wanted, and an abun-
dance to spare: nor are they badly off for
clothing.

The great revival however, and the great
rapidity of the work of God, the peculiar conso-
lations of God's Spirit which he has favoured me
with, and the retirement I met with in these vast
forests, far over-balanced every trial. Many other
circumstances also amply compensated for the dis-
agreeble parts of my journey. Sometimes a most
noble vista of half a mile or a mile in length,
would open between the lofty pines. Sometimes
the tender fa-N^ns and hinds wovdd suddenly appear,
and on seeing or hearing us, would glance through -
the woods, and vanish away. Frequently indeed
we were obliged to lodge in houses built with
round logs, and open to every blast of wind, and
sometimes were under the necessity of sleeping

2G8 LIFE OF DK. COKE.

three in a bed. Often we rode sixteen or eighteen
miles without seeing a house, or human creature
but ourselves, and often were obliged to ford very
.deep and dangerous rivers, or creeks (as they are
here called.) Many times we ate nothing from
seven in the morning till six in the evening ; tlio'
sometimes w^e carried refreshments with us, and
partook of our temperate repast on stumps of
trees in the woods near some spring or stream of
water.

On the 9th of 3Iarc7i we began our confer-
ence in Georgia. Here we agreed (as we have ever
since, in each of the conferences) that Mr. AVes-
ley's name should be inserted at the head of our
small annual minutes, and also in the form of dis-
cipline : in the small minutes as the foiuitain of
our episcopal office, and in the form of discipline
as the father of the whole work under the divine
guidance. To this all the conferences have cheer-
fully and unanimously agreed. We have 2,011
in society in the state of Georgia ; the increase in
the last year has been 784. At this conference we
agreed to build a college in Georgia; and our
principal friends in this state have engaged to pur-
chase at least 2,000 acres of good limd for its sup-
port: for this purpose there was 12,500 pounds
weight of tobacco subscribed in one congi-egation,
which will produce, clear of all expences, about
£100. sterling. We have engaged to erect it, God
willing, within five years, and do most humbly
intreat Mr. Wesley to permit us to name it W^es-
ley-college, as a memorial of his affection for poor
Georgia, and of our great respect for him.

On the 17th we opened our conference in
Charleston, for the state of South Carolina. IMy
congregations were very large in this city, as
well as ISIr. Asbury's, and great liberty the Lord
was pleased to give me. We were bitterly attacked

LIFE OF DR. COKE. 269

in tlie public papers, but our mild answer, I believe,
did us more service, than the illiberal attcm})ts of
our persecutors did us hurt. In this state we have
3,337 in society : the increase is 907. In my way
from this city I preached three sermons in a small
town called George-Town, in the Court-house,
where most of the principal people of the neigh-
bourhood attended every time, and heard with
deep attention, though we never had any society
or regular preaching there. As the pious master
and mistress of the house where I was most hos-
pitably entertained, with their truly religious
daughter (though but young,) were desirous of
partaking of the Lord's Supper, I administered it
in their dwelling-house : and gave permission to
any serious persons of the congregation who de-
sired it, to communicate with us ; in consequence
of which, near twenty well-dressed persons (chiefly
women, and some of them, as I was afterwards
informed, women of property) all of whom had
seriousness engraved on their countenances, joined
Xis in that holy ordinance. In this part of the
country 1 met with a sweet potatoe, which, when
roasted, eats exactly like a roasted apple, and can
hardly be distinguished from mellow apples in pies
or puddings : how bountiful is Providence ! I am
daily filled with surprize, in meeting with such
large congregations as I am favoured with in the
midst of vast wildernesses, and wonder from
whence they come. O that God may grant me
the only hire I desire for my labours — the salva-
tion of souls !

On the 12th of Amil we opened our confer-
ence for the state of North Carolina at t]ic house
of a planter in the country (Brother M'Knight) on
the borders of a fine river called the Yeadkin. —
Nineteen preachers met us there, some of wliom
came from the other side of the great Alleghany-

270 LIFE OF DR. COKE.

j^Iountains. The numbers in this «tiite are 6,779 ;
the increase 741. We here received most reviving
letters concerning the progress of the work in
Kentucke, the new Western Workl (as we call it)
In these letters our friends in that country ear-
nestly intreat to have a college built for the edu-
cation of their youtJi, offering to give or purchase
three or four thousand acres of good land for its
support. M^e debated the point, and sent them
word, that if they will provide five thousand acres
of fertile ground, and settle it under such Trustees
as we shall mention under the direction of the
conference, we will undertake to complete a
college for that part of our connection within
ten years.

In travelling from this conference to Virginia,
we were favoured with one of the most beautiful
prospects I ever beheld. The country, as far as
we could see from the top of a hill, was orna-
mented with a great numxber of peach orchards,
the peach-trees being all in fidl blossom, and dis-

E laying a diversity of the most pleasing colours,
lue, purple, and violet. On the opposite side of
a beautiful vale which lay at the foot of the hill,
ran the river Yeadkin, reflecting the rays of the
sun from its broad, placid stream : and the moun-
tains which bounded the view, formed a very fine
back ground for the completing of the prospect. —
The two days following we rode on tlie ridge of a
long hill, with a large vale on each side, and moun-
tains rising above mountains for twenty, and
sometimes, I suppose, forty miles on each hand.
In Halifax county (Virginia) where I met
much persecution four years ago, almost all
the great people in the county came in their cha-
riots and other carriages to hear me, and behaved
with great propriety ; there were not less than five
colonels in the congregation. On the 18th we

LIFE OF DK. COKE. 271

Opened our first conference for the state of Vir-
ginia in the town of Petersburg, and both in the
public and private meetings the Lord was very
present with us. Tliirteen preachers were received
on trial, all well recommended : in the former
conferences there was not a sufficient number of
new preachers to answer all our calls, but in this
conference every deficiency was supplied.

From Petersburg we set off for our second
Virginia conference, which we held in the town of
Leesburgh, visiting Richmond by the way. At
this conference also we had a very comfortable
time. The numbers in society in Virginia this
year, are 14,226 : the increase 2,023.

From Leesburg we set off through Alexan-
dria and Annapolis for Baltimore. At Alexan-
dria I preached in the great presbyterian meeting-
house which has been built in that town, and,
praised be God, gave huge offence to the unrege-
nerate rich, and great joy to the pious poor, by
the testimony I then bore against sin.

At Annapolis, in IMaryland, after my List
prayer, on Sunday tlie 3d of May, the congrega-
tion began to pray and praise aloud in a most
astonishing manner. At first I felt some reluct-
ance to enter into the business ; but soon the tears
began to flow, and I think I have seldom found a
more comforting or strengthening time. This
praying and praising aloud is a common thing
throughout Virginia and Maryland. What shall
we say ? Souls are awakened and converted by
multitudes; and the work is surely a genuine
work, if there be a genuine work of God upon
earth. Whether there be wild-fire in it or not, I
do most ardently wish, that there was such a work
at this present time in England. In one meeting
in this state we liave reason to believe that twenty
sciJs received full sanctification ; and it is common

272 LIFE or DR. COKI?.

to have from twenty to fifty souls justified in a
day, in one place.

Our first conference for the state of Maryland
begun in Baltimore, on Tucsdaji tlie 4th, in whicli
■\ve were all unanimous and truly affectionate. On
the Wednesday evening after I had preached, and
Mr. Ashury exhorted, the congregation began to
pray and praise aloud, and continued so to do till
two o'clock in the morning. Out of a congrega-
tion of two thousand people, I suppose two or
three himdred were engaged at the same time in
praising God, praying for the conviction and con-
version of sinners, or exhorting those around them
with the utmost vehemence : and hundreds more
were engaged in wrestling prayer either for their
own conversion or sanctific-ut^">n. The great noise
of the people soon brought a multitude to see
what was going on, for whom there was no room
in the church, which has been lately built, and
will liold a larger congregation than any other of
our churches in the states. One of our elders was
the means that night of the conversion of seven
poor penitents within his little circle in less tlian
fifteen minutes. Such was the zeal of many, that
a tolerable company attended the preaching at
five the next morning, notwithstanding the late
hour at which they parted. Next evening, JMr.
Asbur)" preached, and again the congregation
began as before, and continued as loud and as long
as the former evening. This praying and praising
aloud has been common in Baltimore for a consi-
derable time ; notwithstanding our congregation in
this town w^as for many years before, one of the
calmest and most critical upon the continent. —
IVIany also of our elders who were the softest, and
connected, and most sedate of our preachers, have
entered ^vith all their hearts into tliis work. And
it must be allowed, that gracious and w^ondci-Ial

LIFE OF DR. COKE. 273'

has been the change, our greatest enemies them-
selves being the judges, that has been wrought on
multitudes, on whom this work begun at those
wonderful seasons.

On Friday the 8th we set off for our college,
which is about twenty -eight miles from Baltimore.
I was highly pleased with the progress they have
made towards the completing of the building ; the
situation delights me more than ever. There is
not, I believe, a point of it, from whence the eye
has not a view of at least twenty miles : and in
some parts of the prospect extends even to fifty
miles in length. The water-part forms one of the
most beautiful views in the United States; the
Chesapeak-Bay in all its gTandeur, with a fine
navigable river (the Susquehanna) which empties
itself into it, lying exposed to the view through a
great extent of country.

During my stay at the college I had several
long conversations with Dr. Hall, our president,
and am satisfied beyond a doubt, that he is both
the scholar, the philosopher, and the gentleman :
he truly fears God, and pays a most exact and
delicate attention to all the rules of the institution.
Our classic tutor is a very promising person : he is
not yet the polished scholar, like the president ;
but his manifest strength of understanding, and
persevering diligence, will soon, I doubt not, per-
fect every thing that is wanting. And our Eng-
lish and mathematical master gives us considerable
satisfaction.

On Saturday morning, the 9th, I examined
all the classes in private : and in the afternoon we
had a public exhibition of the different abilities
and improvements of our young students. Two
young men displayed great strength of memory,
and great propriety of pronunciation, in the repe-

9 Mm

274 LIFE OF DR. COKE.

tition of two chapters of Sheridan on elocution^
and were rewarded by Mr. Asbury, as a small tes-
timony of our approbation, with a dollar a-piece.
One little boy, a son of JMr. Dallam's, a neigh-
bouring gentleman, delivered JMemoriter, a fine
speech out of l^ivy^ with such an heroic spirit,
and with such great propriety, that I presented
liim with a little piece of gold. Three other boys
also so excelled in gardening, that IMr. Asbury
rewarded them with a dollar each. But what is
best of all, many of them are truly awakened.—
However, we were obliged to undertake the pain-
ful task, in the presence of the trustees, masters,
and students, of solemnly expelling a young lad
of fifteen years of age, to whose learning we had
no objection, but whose trifling, irreligious con-
duct,' and open ridicule, among the students, of
experimental religion, we could not pass over: as
we are determined to have a college, in -which reli-^
gion and learning shall go hand in hand together,
or to have none at all. But nothing relating to
this institution perhaps has given me greater
pleasure, than to find we are already enabled to
support four students fully, and two in part,
(preachers' sons and orphans) on the charitable
foundation.

On Wednesday the 14th, we opened our
second conference for the state of Maryland, in
Chester-Town, where also we had nothing but
love and unanimity. The numbers in society in
Maryland are 11,117 ; the increase 1,107. On both
the first and second days of the conference, there
was nmch praying and praising aloud in the con-
gregation. The second day they began at three
in the afternoon, immediately after tlie sacrament,
so that we could not hold a love-feast, as we in-
tended, and continued till eiglit in the evening;
^^'llen Brother Evcritt, one of our elders, prcaclied.

LIFE OF DH. COKE. 275

After preaching, while he was giving ont his last
hymn, they began again, and continued till eleven
at night. A lawyer who came there out of curi-
osity, and who is eminent for his good sense, and
great abihties in his profession, was constrained
in the midst of this work to acknowledge to
some who were near him, that he believed it
proceeded from the interference of a Divine
Power.

On the 18th, we began our conference in
Philadelphia for the state of Pennsylvania, in
which, as usual, we had perfect imanimity. The
numbers in this state and in the little state of Dela-
ware, in which two states the circuits are so mixed
that the numbers cannot easily be separated, are
2,000. There has been in these districts a decrease
on the whole of fifty-six members. On the third
evening we were favoured with some breathings
of the Spirit, which, I hope, will prove the be-
ginning of better days in this city.

There is a custom pecuhar to the American
preachers, which is this : If there be more
preachers than one in a congregation, the preachers
that have not preached, give each of them a warm
exhortation. And as far as I can judge by exter-
nal effects wrought on the congi-egations, and by
consequent enquiry and information, more good
has been done in most instances by the exhorta-
tions than by the sermon : more souls have been
awakened and converted to God.

In our conference which began in Trenton on
the 23d, for the state of New Jersey, all the
preachers seemed full of love. The new friends
we have in this town, did every thing, I believe,
that they could conceive, to make us comfortable :
but alas ! the work is, and ever has been, at a very
low ebb in this place. The numbers in Jersey are
1,751 : here also there has been a decrease of 295.

276 LIFE OF D*. COKE.

This will necessarily happen sometimes in so exten-
sive a work ; yea, where the ministers have been
most faithful. Rotten members, be they ever so
numerous, must be lopped off, or we should soon
become like other men. We have three Indians
in this district: and who knows but they are
the first-fruits of a glorious harvest among that
people.

On the 28th, we opened our last conference
in New- York for that state — a conference, like the
others, all peace and concord, glory, glory be to
God ! In this city we have a great revival, and a
great increase ; in consequence of which we are
going tc^ build a second church. In the country-
parts of this state, Freeborn Garretson, one of our
presiding elders, has been greatly blessed ; and is
endued with an vmcommon talent for opening new
places. With a set of inexperienced but zealous .
youths, he has not only carried our work in this
state as high as Lake Champlain, but has raised
congregations in most of the states of New-Eng-
land, and also in the little state of Vermount,
within about a hundred miles of ISIontreal. The
numbers in the state of New-York, are 2,004 ;
the increase 900. The whole number in the Uni-
ted States is 43,265; the whole increase 6,111;
which is very great, considering that not more
than eight months, or thereabouts, have elapsed,
since the last conference. Of the above-mentioned
number, 85,021 are whites, 8,241 are blacks, and
three are Indians.

We have now settled our printing-business, I
trust, on an advantageous footing, both for the
people individually, and the connection at large ;
as it is fixed on a seciu-e basis, and on a very en-
larged scale. The people will thereby be amply
supplied with books of pure divinity for their
reading, which is of the next importance to

LIFE OF DR. COKE. 277

preaching : and the profits of the books are to be
applied, partly to finish, and pay off the debt of
our college; and, partly, to establish missions
and schools among the Indians.

And through the blessing of God we are now
determined to use our efforts to introduce the gos-
pel among the Indians : in consequence of which,
my indefatigable brother, Mr. Asbury, is to set off
soon for Fort-Pitt, where we are in the first in-
stance to build a church and school, as tlie grand
chief of a nation or tribe of Indians who lives not
far from that fort, and who are at peace with the
States, has expressed an earnest desire of having
Christian ministers among his people. O that the
day of God's visitation to those poor outcasts of
men, may now be arrived.

On the 5th of June, I took my leave of Mr.
Asbury, the preachers of the New- York district,
and my other kind friends of New- York ; and set
off in the ship Union for Liverpool, at which port
ive landed on the 10th of July. The captain and
crew, were, at least in my presence, decent and
well-behaved, and the captain himself very kind
and attentive to please. Most of them had been
brought up in the Presbyterian church, and very
cheerfully admitted morning and evening family-
service, as well as a sermon every Lord's-day, and
attended very regularly. Many of them joined
us in singing hymns at the several services. But
not one of them, I am afraid, is truly awakened,
though I observed some of them reading the little
books which I gave them, with great attention ;
and a solenm spirit rested on the whole company,
the last time I prayed with them.

Divine Providence has favoured us with a
quiet and pleasant voyage on the v/hole. My
books, my papers, and above all, fellowship with
God, ha^e made the whole way ao-reeable. Cap^

ST8 LIFE OF BR. COKE.

tain Cook's voyages to the pacific ocean, and Cap-
tain Carver's travels among the Indian nations in
Kortli America, afforded me great entertainment.
Eut what an awfui observation is that of Mr. Fos-
ters, who published a journal of his voyage vrith
Captain Cook, tlie second tiine the captain sailed
round tlie world ! " It is," says he, " unhappy
enough, that the unavoidable consequences of all
our voyages of discovery, has always been the loss
of a number of innocent lives : but this heavy
injuiy done to the little uncivilized communities
which Eiu'opeans have visited, is trifling when
compared to the irretrievable harm entailed upon
them by corrupting their morals. If these evils,"
adds the benevolent writer, " were in some mea-
sure compensated by the introduction of sonie
benefit in these countries, we might at least com-
fort ourselves, that what they lost on one hand,
they gained on the otiier ; but I fear that
hitherto our intercourse has been wholly disad-
vantageous to the inhabitants of the South
Seas."

What a pity it is, that the pure intentions of
one of the best of sovereigns, the great patron of
the arts and sciences ; as \ve\\ as all the expence of
the different voyages ; should thus be imaccompa-
nied with any beneficial effect. But if the salva-
tion of many souls was to be the glorious conse-
quence, his majesty and every person concerned
that loves our lledeemer, would have a compen-
sation indeed. And I might add, in respect to
any temporal benefits that might arise either to
islands of the Pacific Ocean or to oiu- own country,
such an intercourse woidd necessarily be opened
between them and us, if missions for the estab-
lislnnent of the gospel among them were set on
foot, and through the blessing of God succeeded,
as v.'Quld probably make any benevolent scheme

LIFE OF DE. COKE^. 279

of a civil or political kind, not only feasible, but
easy.

On Saturday J July 4, some time before sun-
set, I was indulged with one of the most delicious
entertainments of the kind, I was ever favoured
with ; which was a "set of the most grand and
beautiful calm-clouds, as the sailors term them, I
ever beheld, rising up on the edge of the horizon
on the North. No pencil can describe, or tongue
express their beauty. Being not far distant from
the coast of Ireland, 1 apprehended for a moment
that I discerned the most beautiful land-prospect,
gilded over by the horizontal beams of the setting
sun. The colours and appearances were so strong,
and all the tints so very lively, that the imagina-
tion could with the utmost ease realize sloping
hills, perpendicular rocks, magnificent turrets
seated on beautiful eminences, and here and there
an opening glade or lawn, and sometimes even a
town or village. Those who are not acquainted
with the seas, or have never minutely attended to
the beauty and grandeur of those calm-clouds,
have no conception of the pleasure I felt on the
occasion ; especially as my mind was enabled in
some measure to ascend up to the celestial Limner,
whose glory and handy-work were so visibly dis-
played before me. " But they w ere mere clouds,"
says the phlegmatic scorner. And what is the
work of a llaphael, but canvas and paint ? All
is cloud and vapour, but the enjoyment of God !
In about half an hour the dehghtful scenery
disappeared.

On the 8th in the morning, the captain in-
formed me that we had been in imminent danger
the night before, from a very sudden and violent
squall of wind on the Devonshire coast, the ship
having run in the night-time, through a mistake
of the captain, too far to the South, instead of

280 LIFE OF DR. COKE.

sailing along the Irish coast. Great, as it seems,
the noise and alarm was on the occasion, I was
fast asleep the whole time; but the Keeper of
Israel neither slumbered nor slept.

On the 9th, we passed by the awful rock in
the Irish channel, called the Middle JMouse, where
two years ago, Mr. Wesley and myself, with about
ten of the preachers, were nearly lost, our ship
striking against the rock about forty times in an
hour and five minutes, and our deliverance ap-
pearing to have been a very extraordinary
answer.

The affairs of Methodism were proceeding
with general prosperity and increase, and that both
in Europe and America. The connexion was not
much agitated with any contentions, except here
and there about the settlement of chapels : — But
a grand crisis of IVIethodism was swifty approacli-
ing. The time drew near that its founder must
die. Till he was about 86 years of age, there was
no abatement in his extraordinary labours, but
his natural force continued unabated. But for
nearly two years before his death, even himself
was convinced he was become an old man. Mean-
time, men's ideas and expectations were various as
to what might happen to the Methodists after his
decease. For almost fourteen of his last years.
Dr. Coke acted in perfect obedience and subser-
viency to him, and was extremely and usefully
active. Many had expectations that the Doctor
would succeed him at the head of Methodism. —
A head of some sort, it was thought, would be
absolutely necessary. Hardly any person had an
idea, that the body v»^ould be governed in the way
it has been, and yet be kept together. Mr. Wes-
ley himself does not seem^ to have had any such

LIFE OF DR. COKE. 281

idea. The division of the connexion into districts,
was a plan unbroached, and hardly ever thought
of, till the time came that something must be
done, inasmuch as Mr. Wesley was now no more.

But, before I proceed to state tlie various
circumstances connected with this important event,
I must mention, that some months before Mr.
V¥esley died. Dr. Coke sailed the fourth time
for America, taking the West Indies in his
vvay.

On the 16th of October, 1790, he sailed from
Falmouth, taking out with him INIessrs. Lyons
and Werrill, two missionaries from Ireland to the
West Indies. Sir John Orde, governor of Do-
minica, the captain, master, surgeon, together
with the Doctor and his two friends, made the
whole of the company in the cabin. The captain
was very kind to them, and they were plentifully
supplied with every thing which could contribute to
make the A^oyage comfortable. Every Friday, the
Doctor and the two missionaries kept a fast. Once
a day at least, they had family-prayer : and every
Sabbath, the Doctor read prayers on deck, and he
or one of the missionai'ies preached. And they
had reason to believe that their labours were bles-
sed to some of the sailors at least.

After a voyage of five weeks and two days,
the Doctor and the two missionaries landed on the
island of Barbadoes. " The pleasing prospect of
Bridgtown, and the plantations around it, with
the ships and harbour," says the Doctor, *' which
forms one of the most beautiful prospects of the
kind in the West Indies, had a very pleasing
effect on the minds of the two missionaries, Messrs.
Lyons and Werrill."

He further says, " I preached twice in Bridg-
town, and was favoured,, particularly the last

9 N n

282 LIFE OF DR. COKE.

evening, with large congregations. The preach-
ing-house will hold about seven hundred people,
is very airy, and in every respect commodious. —
]\Ir. Pearce, our missionary in this island, for the
last two years, has undergone very great persecu-
tions ; but the Lord at last inclined the heart of
one of the magistrates towards him, who defended
him with spirit, and reduced all to peace. A very
extraordinary name has been fixed on the Metho-
dists in this island, that is, " Hallelujah.'" Even
the little negroes in the streets call them by the
name of Uallehijali, as they pass along. On the
morning after I landed, I paid a visit to Governor
Parr)^ who received me with much courtesy. A
foundation for a great work, I am persuaded, has
been laid here, though this society at present is
very small."

Having left ]\Ir. Lyons behind him, with
directions to meet him at the island of St. Christo-
pher's, he sailed on the 23d, (after preaching in the
evening, with ]\Ir. Werrill,) for Kingston, in the
island of St. Vincent's, where he arrived the fol-
lowing day, in time to preach in the evening to a
full house. The chapel here formerly belonged to
the Roman Catholics, but was purchased by the
Methodists. It will hold above two hundred per-
sons. The next day he set off with JNIr. Baxter
and Mr. Werrill to visit the societies on the wind-
ward side of the island. They rode to the borders
of the Caribb-land. As they returned, a poor
negro-woman ran up to them out of the field to
shake them by the hand. Mr. Werrill asked her,
*' Do you love God ?" she answered, " I do, other-
wise I should not have come to you. I have felt
the Redeemer's life and death in my soul."

The Doctor was convinced, that there was a
prospect of great good in St. Vincent's ; and the
missionaries were held in such general and high

LIFE OF DK. COKE. 283

esteem, tliat several of the Homan Catholics pre-
ferred them to their own priests, and got them to
baptize their children. .

On the 27th of Novemhcr, the Doctor left
St. A^incent's, and sailed for Grenada, in company
with ]Mr. Baxter, and met with comfortable enter-
tainment at the house of a former acquaintance of
IMr. Baxter. Mr. Dent also, the minister of St.
George's, behaved very kindly to them. He was
at that time, the only clergyman in those islands,
that had shewn any regard for the Methodists. —
He defended them in every company, till he him-
self began to fall into reproach ; when that ami-
able and admirable man, General Matthews, the
Governor of Grenada, and commander-in-chief of
the forces in the Caribee islands, singled him out^
and gave hdm the living of St. George's, Grenada,

Dr. Coke and ]\Ir. Baxter waited on the
general. He honoured them with about an hour's
conversation concerning the design of their visit,
and was so perfectly satisfied, that he begged that
missionaries might be sent to that island. " I
wish, said he, " that the negroes may be fully
instructed, and there will be work enough for
both them and the clergy of the island." The
Doctor promised that a missionary should be sent,
and he and Mr. Baxter dined with the governor.
Among the company at dinner, were the president
of the council, the speaker of the assembly, who
treated the Doctor with great attention and res-
pect. In the evening he preached in a large room
to a numerous and very attentive congregation.
And he now learned that a society of about twenty
j)ersoiis had been already formed, by a free Mu-
latto, who had been a member of the society in
Antigua. Mr. Baxter preached the next morn-
ing at six o'clock when the room was nearly
tilled.

284 LIFE OF DR. COKE.

A negro told the Doctor, that a little while
before, he dreamed that two ministers came to the
island for the benefit of the blacks ; and added,
that as soon as he saw Mr. Baxter and the Doctor
enter the church, he knew them to be the very
persons w^ho had been represented to him in his
dream.

The comptroller of the customs also gave
them encouragement, and promised to do what
he could in opening a way for any missionary they
might send. And other encouraging openings ap-
peared in other parts of the island.

Having finished the present visit to Grenada,
they took shipping to return to Antigua ; and
after touching at St. Vincent's, and taking up Mr.
Lumb and Mr. Werrill, they arrived in Antigua
on the 5th of December. Here the Doctor felt
himself at home, and spent four comfortable days.
But on the last evening, after he had preached,
tliree drunken gentlemen (so called) made a rude
attack upon INIr. Baxter at the door of the chapel,
They seized him, and one of them exclaimed,
" I'll murder thee, Baxter, I'll murder thee," —
IMrs. Baxter hearing these horrid expressions,
seemed to be almost distracted ; and many of the
negroes cried out, " Mr. Baxter, our own Mr.
Baxter is murdered." Some who heard the noise,
but did not understand the cause, thought there
was a fire, and the whole town w^as in an uproar,
The magistrates interfered, and order was restored.
They offered to punish the offenders ; but while
they were thanked for the offer, they were in-,
formed, that it gave more pleasm-e to the injured
to forgive than to prosecute,

Leaving Antigua, and touching at iMontser-
ratt, he landed on St. Christopher's, December the
9th. From hence he made a visit to the island of
St. Euslatius. This island belonged to the Dutch,

LIFE OF DR. COKE. 885

and a new governor had lately come from Holland,
who received Dr. Coke and JNIr. Baxter with very
great rudeness when they waited upon him. They
immediately left the island. They learnt, how-
ever, that there were nearly two hundred that
regularly met in class under their respective
leaders ; and that there were eight exhorters among
them ; and that they all considered themselves as
being Methodists.

Dr. Coke next visited the island of Nevis,
where the judge of the admiralty, INIr. Ward,
received him with much civility and kindness. —
He preached and kept a lovefeast.

He then returned to St. Christopher's, and
on JVedfiesday^ the 15th of December, he opened
a little conference, which lasted two days and part
of a third.

On the 18th, he sailed for the island of St.
Vincent, and there spent his Christmas very com-
fortably. And on 3Io7iday, the 27th, he em-
barked, along with Mr. Werrill, for Montego-
Bay, the third town in the island of Jamaica. —
And after a very agreeable passage, they arrived
at the intended port on the 5th of January. Here
he found an agreeable town, but not a single friend
or acquaintance. He had, however, a strong per-
suasion, that there was work for them to do in
that town : and they went to a lodging-house
where they were kindly treated. A recommenda-
tory letter which he had with him from a friend
in the city of Cork, in Ireland, to a principal
gentleman in the neighboiu'hood, procured for
them an elegant dinner, but no help or advice as
to their main design. The Doctor walked about
the streets, peeping and enquiring, but could hear
of no place in which he could preach ; and to
preach out of doors is almost impracticable in that
burning climate : besides, the negroes in general,

286 LIFE OF DR. COKE.

are not able to attend till the evening, when the
heavy dews woidd render it in a high degree im-
prudent and dangerous to preach abroad. In this
dilemma, he would have set off immediately for
Kingston if he could have got his boxes
out of the ship. But this could not be done
for three or four days.

While they were dining on the following
day at an ordinary, he told the company of the
business on which he was come, and complained
of the want of a place. One of them observed,
that the large assembly-room, which was fre-
quently used as a play-house, and was formerly
the church wherein divine service was performed
on Sundays, would be very commodious. The
Doctor and Mr. Werrill immediately waited upon
the proprietor, who generously gave him the use
of the room gratis, and lighted it at his own ex-
pence. It would hold five or six hundred people.
The first evening most of the principal people in
the town heard him, and attended regularly during
the four evenings he preached there. But as the
man whom he sent round the town, called only at
the houses of the whites, hardly any of the blacks
attended the first evening. But the other even-
ings they did attend in increasing numbers. Each
evening the congregation in general heard with
deep attention ; though a few rakes clapped their
hands, and cried out, " encore, encore," the first
and second evenings after he had concluded ; but
afterwards they were prevented by the interference
of two or three gentlemen.

In some of the parishes of Jamaica there is no
church, nor any divine service performed, except
the burial of the dead, and weddings and christen-
ings in private houses, thougii the livings are very
4ucrative.

Having opened a door for the gospel at INIon-

LIFE or DR. COKE, 287

tego -Bay, and given the people reason to expect ft
missionary, and having settled all matters relating
to his boxes, on the 10th of January y he set off
with Mr. Werrill for Kingston. Finding that
they could not hire horses for this journey for less
than eighteen pounds, he purchased two poor weak
creatures, to carry them and their saddle-bags ;
but it was such an uncommon thiniy in that coun-
try, to see a person ride with saddle-bags, that
the people stared at them as if they had been two
wonders. The distance from Montego-Bay to
King-ston, is 126 miles, which is a very long jour-
ney in that burning climate, especially as the roads
were then very deep in the plains, from the vast
quantity of rain which had recently fallen ; and
they had to cross two mountains.

They lodged the first night at a little town
called Martha-Bay. A company in a room adjoin-
ing to them were not only very rude, but one of
them sung a song as obscene and blasphemous as
perhaps language could furnish.

On the 12th, they began to ascend the moun-
tains, upon the top of which they found abun-
dance of orange-trees, of the species which we call
Seville. They looked very beautiful, and the
Doctor and his companion imagined, that their
beneficent Creator seemed to say to them in the
trees, " Come, ye v/eary travellers and quench
your thirst."

About four in the afternoon they arrived at
the foot of a great mountain called Mount-DihhU
or Mount-Devil, of which they had received most
dreadful accounts. The landlord of the tavern at
the foot of the mountain where they dined, told
them of the dreadful precipices, and of the fall of
many over them who were never heard of after-
wards. But after dining, and resting their weary
horses for two hours, they had the courage, if not

288 LIFE OF DE. COKE.

the rashness, to set off by the light of the moon, to
pass this tremendous hill. This was done at the
earnest request of Mr. Werrill, though the Doctor
afterwards saw he had acted imprudently in yield-
ing to him. For after all the horrible descriptions
they had had of the precipices, they found them
far more awful than they expected. But, with
hard labour, and the exercise of much patience, at
eleven o'clock at night, they came to a tavern on
the other side of the mountain.

On the next day, when within about thirteen
miles of Spanish-Town, they rode through that
part of the island which contains the greatest curi-
osity in Jamaica. All on a sudden, a traveller
seems to be locked up among the hills, without
any passage forwards : till in a moment, a narrow,
crooked pass, between two immense rocks, till
then concealed from his view, opens before him.
Between these two vast rocks, the Doctor and his
companion, rode a mile or two with a beautiful
purling stream on their right hand.

In the afternoon they approached Spanish-
Town, the seat of government, and the second
town in the island. But their horses were so jaded
out, that they could hardly move. For three
miles JNlr. Werrill was obliged to lead his horse :
and to keep up his spirits, the Doctor dismounted
and walked with him.

Dr. Coke, ever intent upon the main business,
here meditated the doing something for God and
the souls of the inhabitants. He made sundry
fruitless applications for a place in which to preach ;
till at last a tavern-keeper told him his long ropm
was at his service. However, it was too late in
the day, and as he had to leave the next morning,
it was deferred to a future opportunity.

January the 14th, they setoff for Kingston,
■which is about thirteen miles from Spanish-Town;

LIFE OF DR COKE. 389

to which place, their poor weary horses, after rest-
ing once at a tavern, and twice on the road, where
they happened to meet with some grass, brought
them with great difficulty about the time of
dinner.

At the conclusion of this trying journey, the
Doctor said, " Notwithstanding our various trials,
the novelty, beauty and grandeur of the different
prospects we met with on the way, and perhaps a
peculiar turn of mind the Lord has blessed me
with, of extracting out of these innocent, transitory
things, all the sweetness they are capable of yield-
ing, together with the approving smile of heaven,
made the journey very agreeable."

Upon his arrival at Kingston, he found him-
self in a place which had been, and still was, a
seat of persecution. The life of Mr. Hammett,
the preacher, as well as that of IMr. Bell, an active
and steady friend, had been repeatedly in serious
danger. The opposers had not only recourse to
violence, but also to slander and falsehood. They
calumniated the iNIethodists in news-papers. —
Kvery thing that was bad was said of Mr. Ham^
mett ; and every name that was disgraceful was
given to him. And in respect to Dr. Coke, they
published a pretended anecdote of his being tried
in England for horse-stealing, and fleeing to Ame-
rica to escape justice.

He found JNIr. Hammett dangerously ill of a
fever and ague, and worn almost to a skeleton with
fatigue and opposition. He had not been able to
preach for near a month ; and his enemies were
waiting for the joyful moment, when they might
triumph in his death, and, as they apprehended,
the extinction of the work. To save his life, and
restore his health, the Doctor determined to take
him along with him to the American continent.

But, for the present, Dr. Coke and Mr,
10 O o

290 LIFE OF DE. COKE;

Erazicr> a missionary, paid a visit to Spaiiisli''
Town. He preached in the long rooni of the
tavern which was offered him when on his way to
Kingston. But certain bucks behaved so rudely
that the Doctor did not chuse to preach in that
room any more. He therefore hired a poor clieap
house, in which he preached the following even-
ing. But tlie bucks attended here also, and were
again extremely rude and disturbing. But in spite
of all opposition both here and at Kingston, he
made his way, and prepared the way for greater
success in future.

On the 27th of Ja7iuanj, 1791, Dr. Coke
and IMr. Hammett sailed from Port-Koyal in
Jamaica, for Charleston in South Carolina. They
were in great dangers, especially as they ran in the
night-time among a crowd of little islands, called
the JNIartyrSj from the number of ships which
have been wrecked upon tliem. They lie south
of Florida, the most northern of them being very
near the continent. They are very small, tliey are
most if not entirely uninhabited. The whole group
are about 140 miles long and 40 broad. Only a
few months before, four or five vessels had been
wrecked among these islands. ]>ut Providence
saw the Doctor safe out of this peril of waters and
rocks. But after being two or, three days in dan-
ger among the Martyrs, they immediately ran
into another. iVbout day -lights the watch discov-
ered that they were close to a steep rocky coast
on tlie island of Cuba, not far from the Ha-
vannah. But dangers still greater yet awaited
them. On the 21st of Fehruariji the morning
being foggy, the vessel struck against a sand-bank,
but was got off. — In half an hour more she
struck three times agiiinst another sand-bank^
but was again cleared off. Shortly after she struck
again and stuck fast. For about two hoiu'S she
CGJitliuied striking v/ith such force, that they could

LIFE OF DIl. CQKE, 291

liardly stand on the deck ; and great pieces were
broke off from tlie false keel, and appeared awfully
iioating on the water. The land, however, now
appeared in view, at the distance of about three
miles. Four sailors got into the small boat to go
oil shore to look for assistance ; and the Doctor
and Mr. Hammett very gladly accompanied them.
They now found themselves upon a small island
called Fidisto, containing about five thouvsand
inhabitants- It is about fifty miles south of
Charleston.

A gentleman stood ready, as it were, on the
shore to receive them, as if sent thither by Provi-
dence, who took them to his mother's house, where
they dined. IMr. Hammett lodged at the house of
this Mr. Eding. while the Doctor reposed under
the roof of Major Jenkins in the same neighbour-
liooti. And Mr. Eding and his mother provided
all the ship's company with lodging, and every
comfort, except the captain, who could not be per-
suaded to leave the shore, but lay on the ground
within sight of the vessel during the whole of the
night.

The next day JMr. Eding furnished Dr. Coke
and Mr. Hammett with horses and a guide: and
after crossing a ferry of a league in breadth, they
lodged at the house of a gentleman who treated
them with great hospitality. The day follo^ving,
they were kindly entertained by another gentle-
man ; and on the next day were conveyed 25
miles in a large half-covered boat to Charleston.

The next w'cek, the kind and hospitable
Major Jenkins, took in his boat to Charleston, all
the things which the Doctor and Mr. Hammett
had left in the ship, a little towel only excepted.
They were then informed that a violent gale of
wind Avhich rose the night after the brig, or ship,
was deserted, instead of breaking her in pieces, o.i^

292 LIFE OF DR. COKE.

was expected, drove her off the bank to sea : and
in a day or two afterwards slie was boarded by the
crew of a small vessel, and brought by them into
a safe place, which entitled them by the American
laws, to a third part of the cargo.

Thus were they rescued from great dangers,
and that without injury or loss. They were a
whole month coming from Jamaica to Charleston,
which was double the usual time. One conse-
quence was, that the conference for South Caro-
lina, which the Doctor designed to attend, had
concluded when he arrived : but the preachers had
agreed to stay a day longer in hopes of seeing him:
and he had the pleasure of spending that day with
them in solemn and useful conversation.

Here he found an able missionary for Edisto
island. " If I can but," said he, " be the means
of sending the gospel among them, it ^vill be a
glorious compensation, and the only one I can
make, for their many kindnesses to me, when I
was a stranger and a pilgrim among them."

On the 8th of March^ he and some others,
set off for the conference in Georgia, and in the
evening they lost themselves in u wood, and
thought of spending the night there, but found
the road again, and soon arrived at the place whi-
ther they were going.

March the 9th, and some following days, lie
felt much pleasure in preachisig daily to large con-
gregations in immense forests. It gave him pecu-
liar delight to be buried, as it were, in the Avoods.
Tlicre he seemed to be detached from every thing,
but tlie quiet vegetable creation and his God. —
Here he expressed himself in the language of Dr.
Watts :—

" rn rarvc my passion on the bark :

Ami t very woumieil tree
Sliail drop, and hear some mystic mark

That Jesus died for mc, * ,

LIFE OF DB. COKE. 293

*' The swains shall wonder when they read

Insciiij'd on all the grove,
That Heaven itself came down and bled

To win a mortal's love."

The conference in Georgia being ended, he
set off through the country. He was struck with
the great number of children tliat had been bap-
tized in America by the Christian name of Wes-
ley : he supposed there had been some hundreds of
instances in all the states.

He made a visit to the Catawba-Indians, a
nation reduced to a very small number, who chieiiy
lived in a little town, which in England v\^ouid
be only called a village. They raised a rude tent
in one of the fields, where the Doctor and his com-
panions preached. But as the generality of them
imderstood nothini; of the Eni^lish lanouaa:e, it
was determined to erect a school amono; them.

In general, these Indians dressed like the
white people. But a few of tlie men were quite
luxurious in tlieir dress, even wearing ruffles, and
very showy suits of cloaths made of cotton. Their
houses were not uncomfortable, being far superior
to the cabins in which the poorest people live in
Ireland.

Their chief, or general, was a tall, grave, old
man, and walked with a miglity staff in his
hand. Kound his neck he wore a narrow piece
of leather, which hung down before, and was
adorned with a great variety of bits of silver. He
had also a silver breast-plate. Almost all the men
and women wore silver nose-rings, hanging from
the middle gristle of the nose ; and some of them
liad little silver hearts hanging from the rings.

On the .'30th of diarchy the Doctor met with
a remarkable instance of the oreat good that mav
result from small means, and how important it is
that Christians should embrace every opportunity

294? LIFE OF DR. COKE.

of propagating the tnitlis of religion. He met
with u young preaclier at wliose mother's house,
the Doctor had called when travelling through the
states in 1785- None of the family were serious
OY acquainted with the IMcthodists at that time.
He made them a present of the extract of Mv.
Thaw's Treatise on the nature and design of Chris-
tianity, which is printed and sold among the Me-
thodists. By the means of this little tract they
were so stirred up to seek the Lord, that now the
mother, the preacher, six cliildren who are married
and their husbands and . wives, fourteen in all,
were converted, and had joined the iMethodist
society.

April % They began their conference for
North Carolina, there being about thirty preachers
present. At this conference a remarkable spirit of
prayer was poured out upon the preachers. Every
evening, before they concluded, Heaven itself
seemed to be opened to their behoving souls.

At each of these American conferences, during
this visit of the Doctor, every preacher gave an
account of his experience from the fu'st strivings
of the Spirit of God, as far as he could remember ;
also of his call to preach, and the success which
the Lord had given to hiia labours.

About tlie middle of April, he had rode
about eight himdred miles since he landed at
Charleston, and without hardly any rain : but now
he was wet to the skin. However, they at last
happily found their way to the house of a friend
by the preachers' mark — the spUt-hiish. — ^AVhen a
new circuit is formed in those immense forests,
the preacher, whenever he comes in the first in-
stance to a junctioji of several roads or paths, splits
two or three of the bushes that lie on the side of
the right path, that the preachers who follow him
may find out thck way with ease. And in one of

LIFE OF DE. COKE. 2D5

the circuits the sinners discovered the secret, and
split bushes in wrong places in order to mislead
the preachers.

On the 20th of April, they opened the con-
ference at Petersburg, in Virginia, at which about
thirty preachers were present. In America, on
account of the vast extent of the country, they
do not hold a general conference annually, but
they have twelve or fourteen provincial confer-
ences, each of which meets every year, and then
have one general conference once in four years. —
]Mr. Asbury presides at the general conference,
and almost ahvays at the provincial ones. Only
when Dr. Coke was there, they were joint presi-
dents, in tlie character of bishops. And as they
have at least one bishop in America, among the
Methodists, besides JMr. Asbury, I believe that
lie is allowed the honour of some share of the
presidency.

After preaching at sundry places, the news
reached his eiirs, that Mr. Wesley was dead. And
this put an end to all his plans for the good of the
people during tiiat visit on the continent.

The next morning he set off for New York,
ill order to be in time for the British packet. He
rode by day and by night. For near a day he was
not able to weep ; but afterwards some refreshing
tears gave him almost inexpressible ease. He pas-
sed through a country abounding with singino-
birds, but he could take but little pleasure in them.
He felt much communion with God ; but yet, the
death of his venerable friend had cast such a shade
of melancholy over his mind, and consequentlv in
appearance on every thing else, that he could find
but little pleasme in the contemplation of the
works of nature.

Qn Sunday the 1st of 31ay, he arrived at
Baitiitiore in the afternoon, and preached that

296 LIFE or DR. COKE.

evening a sort of funeral sermon for Mr. AVesley,
on 2 Kings ii. 12. " And Elislia saw it, and cried,
my Father, my Father, the chariot of Israel, and
the horsemen thereof."

And he preached before the following confer-
ence from the same text. The choice of the text
induced some to suppose, that he expected to be
JMr. Wesley's successor, as Elisha succeeded Elijah.
The pulpits of the Methodist chapels in Philadel-
phia and New York, were immediately covered
with black cloth out of respect to the memory of
Mr. Wesley.

The Doctor being repeatedly struck with a
sciatica in his journey was not able to reach New
York before the departure of the packet. But
about the middle of May he embarked at New-
castle, in the state of Delaware, in the William
Penn, bound for London. When he reached the
English channel, so eager was he to know what
was going on among the Methodists, and to get
to his work among them, that he gave some fisher-
men three guineas to put him on shore in the west
of Cornwall. At Redruth, and in his way from
thence to Truro, he received from the writer of these
sheets, a full and particular account of proceed-
ings since the death of IMr. Wesley, and particu-
larly of the general adoj^tion of the plan of districts :
a plan which was calculated, and designed, not
only to do general good to the connexion, but to
prevent any one or two men from placing them-
selves at the head of the body, or according to an
expression whicli then came into use, and conti-
nued so for some years, to prevent any person or
persons, except the legal conference of the hun-
dred, from " standing in Mr. Wesleifs shoes." —
AVhcn a full detail of what had been done respect-
ing the formation of districts, and of the persons
wiio had brought forward and promoted the plan,

LIPE OF DR. COKE. 297

had been given to him, his answer was, " That is
a weight too great to attempt to wield." He was
advised not to go to the Irish conference, which
was then just at hand. He seemed at the time
inchned to follow that advice ; but at last he re-
solved to go, and went accordingly. But such
was the watchful jealousy, which was then on the
alert, that the Doctor was not permitted to take
the presidental chair. However, had he not studied
the peace and unity of the communion more than
his own elevation, he had those about him who
would have promoted him to honour.

And here I am powerfully struck with the
idea, at the very variegated, as well as active life
of the Doctor. Only reflect upon the account of
about three-quarters of a year preceding this time,
and what an abundance and variety of labours and
dangers ! There are some persons whose characters
and conduct are most highly thought of while
they are alive, but are seldom mentioned, because
little thought of, after their death : while others
are much more highly thought of when they are
no more seen. The mists created by prejudice,
jealousy, and misapprehension, being removed,
their characters and labours are allowed their full
value. And this, I believe, will be the case with
regard to Dr. Coke, while the reverse is somewhat
the case with some of his coadjutors who left the
world before him.

But a few words more about the formation of
districts in the Methodist connexion. Though
the w^ords district and circuit are nearly of tlie
same signification, abstractedly considered, they
are of very different application in Methodism.
Circuits had existed almost from the commence-
ment of Mr. Wesley's career : but districts had no
existence till after his death. And the principal

10 P p

^98 Liri! OF DR. COK^..

object of their institution was to supply hii
place.

Between the death of Mr.- ^Vesley, and the
following eoiiferonce, ^lessrs. ThompsoYi, Brad-
burii, Thoin^s Taylor, Pawson, and d iew more
preacher,*), inet tooether at Halifax, and agreed
upon the plan of dividing the connexion into dis-
tricts ; and they wrote to the preachers in different
partSj explaining the scheme, and requesting them
to meet together immediately as districts, to deli-
berate upon the plan of our future government.
And in this their circular letter, they did provi-
sionally mark out wliat places should be the heads
of the different districts, and what circuits should
constitute ea:ch. The main of the plan was excel-
lent, and the work now done was good and com-
mendable. ]3ut as the framers of tlie scheme were
not equally acquainted with all the parts of the
connexion, they succeeded best as to those parts
they understood the best, and but indifferently
with regard to some others. And as these districts
have never undergone a general revision, some of
them are to this day very defective, and will so
remain till there be a radical improvement.

The projectors of this plan of discipline, had
two objects in view, both of which they jiccom-
plished. First, they wished to put it out of thfe
power of any individuals to step into Mr. AVes-
ley's shoes : and secondly^ they wanted to estab-
lish such a form of government as might promote
tlie stability, harmony, prosperity, and durability
of the work.

It was in Halifax that the convention assein-
bled, wheii they devised and agreed to recommend
to the connexion the plan of districts.

Had any individual been chosen to fill the
place which Mr. AVesley had so long and so ably
filled, no persons were so likely to be elevated as

LIFE OF BR. COKE. 2i)9

Dr. Coke, or ]\lr. Alexaiuler IMatlier ; eitlier one
of them alone, or both conjointly. JMr. JNlather
was a great man in the JMethodist connexion for
iTiany years. He was born at Brechin, in Scotland,
in the year 17^3. His parents were religious,
and they trained him np in the doctrine aiid dis-
cipline of the Lord. As early as when he was
ten years of age, his mil? 4 Ava$ seriously impressed
willi .everlasting things.

ill the year 1752., he went to reside in I^on-
xlon, and in the year following he married. H?
then called to mind, that tJi-c vows of God
Kcre upon him ; that he had often promised tlie
Lord, that when he entered into the conjugal
state, he would devote himself to his service. He
began to seek the Lord with all his heart. For
»some time the distress of his mind was very great.
Frequently, he would go upon his knees at bed-
time, and continue so with strong cries and tears
till two o'clock in the morning. But while hear-
ing Mr. John Wesley pleach, on the 14th of April,
1754, tiifi Lord appointed unto him beauty for
ashes, and the oil of joy for mourning. He was
translated from the kingdom of darkness, into the
kingdom of God's dear Son.

Mr. AVesley took early notice of him, and
made him first the leader of a band, and then the
leader of a class. In lx)tli these little oiliccp he
acquitted himself with propriety and usefulness.
And it was not long before it was impressed upon
his mind that it was his duty to preach. He
.sougl^t the Lord upon thiii subject by ihsting and
prayer. He then mentioned it to Mr. Wesley,
who told him plainly, " To be a IMethodist
preacher is not tlie way to ease, honour, pleasure,
or profit. It is a life of much labour and reproach.
They often tare hard, and are often in want. — They
iire liable to be stoned, beaten and abused in vari-

3^0

LIFE OF DR. COKEo

diis manners. Consider this before you engage in
uncomfortable a way of life." Mr. blather
s^iswered, " He had no desire to engage therein,
nless it was the call of God ; and he was regard-
ss as to what he might suffer in doing the will
(f God." Mr. Wesley then directed him to make
trial, which he did. His labours were approved
nd rendered useful : and at the conference in 1757,
e was appointed for the Epworth circuit. He
laboured very diligently and zealously, and suf-
fered much from wicked and unreasonable men,
ivhile his labours were crowned with success, and
the pleasure of the Lord prospered in his hands.
He was " in laboiu's more abundant." He had a
very strong constitution, and he exerted all his
strength to the utmost. He was very much
attached to, and zealous to promote the doctrines
and discipline of JMethodism. Perliaps JNIetho-
dism had never a more zealous and laborious friend.
He had a considerable strength of intellect, and
had acquired a good deal of information. He was
especially well acquainted with the bible, and had
a great knoAvledge of human nature both in saints
and sinners. And he had a large shai'e of what is
termed common sense.

Possessing these qualifications and loving per-
petual exercise, it is no wonder that he was fre-
quently employed in the most difficult matters
pertaining to IMethodism. This was his very ele-
ment. It was what he loved and delighted in ;
but it brought the censure of many upon him,
and made some cast upon him invidious reflec-
tions. Eut none of those things moved him.

For some years before Mr. A^^esley died, INIr.
Mather was what miglit be called his riglit-liand
man. iMr. Mather had great influence with him,
and was much consulted in the annual appoint-
ment of the preachers, and other matters in the

LIFE OF DR. COKE. 3(.'l

connexion. He was a very zealous, energetic, and
useful preacher, though his sermons did not excel
either in method or elegance. He was exceedingly-
diligent and laborious in his ministerial calUng-,
and a great disciplinarian. Some thought him too
desirous of power and authorit}^, as well as lamented
the occasional undue warmth of his temper ; but
they are very good Christians indeed who have no
defects, real or supposed ; such may be deemed,
in the language of the apostle James, perfect
men.

In the year 1792, IMr. Mather was the presi-
dent of the conference, which was that year held
in London. He continued his ministerial labours
till his health failed ; and then, after a lingering
decay, attended with a good deal of pain, on the
S^d of August^ 1809, he died, with a hope fuU
of immortality, at the house of his son, an emi-
nent surgeon in York, and lies buried in the yard
of St. Saviour's Gate Church, in that city, along
with a son of his by a second wife. Mr. JMather
and Dr. Coke were firm and warm friends for
many years.

But to return- from this digression. The time
approached for holding the first conference after
Mr. Wesley's death, which began at Manchester,
on the 26tli of July, 1791. The person elected
to fill the chair was Mr. William Thompson, who
had been a principal man in constructing the
scheme of tlie districts.

JMr. Thompson was born in the same year as
Mr. Mather, that is, in 1733, in the county of
Fermanaugh, in Ireland. He remembered his
Creator in the days of his youth ; and in 1757, tlie
same year that JMr. Mather began to travel, Mr.
Thompson commenced his itinerant career as a
jNIethodist preacher. He displayed at that time
considerable ministerial abilities; he possessed a

3p LIFE OF DR. COKE.

iirning zeal for the gloiy of God in tlie salvation
of immortal souls ; and his labours were accompa-
nied with a general blessing. In the year 1758,
he left his native country, and received an appoint-
ment in England. In his way to London, lie
stayed four days at Burslem, in Staffordsliire, and
was instrumental in joining 28 persons to the
society there, three or four of whom professed to
have received the knowledge of solvation by tlie
remission of sins. In his way to Colcliester, he
stopt in I^ondon, where he was kindly received
by JMr. AVesley and the friends there.

About this time, Mr. Thompson was called
to endure his share in the general persecution,
which at that time raged against the Methodists.
One time, while he was preaching, an unruly mob,
instigated by the minister of the parish, made a
cruel assault upon him, and carried him and seve-
ral of the principal 3Iethodists of the place off in
triumph. The people, without any sort of trial,
were put on board a transport, which lay ready to
sail witli a fleet of men of war. JMr. Thompson
was confined in prison, not allowed to see any of
his friends, and expected every hour to be sent on
boar(^. tlie transport. The parson, however, and
the justice of the peace, sometimes condescended
to visit their prisoner, in order to dispute with him
on religious subjects.

This persecuting business coming to the ear<5
of I^ady Himtingdon, she and some other persons
of rank and influence, applied to government,
who immediately ordered Mr. Thompson and his
friends to be set at lilierty. An action was com-
menced against the clergyman, and had not Mr.
Thom])Son exerted himself to stop the process,
the parson and his family would probably have
been ruined.

In tlie yeai- 1 760. Mr. Thompson went to

LIFE OF DR. COKE. 803

labour in Scotland ; and in the year 1 764, he
eaught a violent cold by sleeping in a damp bed
in Lancashire. This was the principal cause of
those dreadful spasms in his stomach, with which
he was afliicted for many years, and which were
probably the cause of his death.

Mr. Thompson was a man of a strong and
clear understanding, of acute discernment, reten^
tive memory, a close reasoner, and a good speaker,
and possessed of much information.

His spasmodic complaint increased with liis
years, though lie still continued to preach till
within a few weeks of his death.

His last circuit was JNlanchester. But in
April, 1799, he was obliged to yield, and retired
to Birmingham, to the house of his eldest daugh-
ter, who was married to a person of considerable
respectabihty. There he enjoyed all thjit filial
affection and gratitude, aided by medical assist-
iance, could do for him. But the disease proved
incurable.

When confined to his bed, his friends were
-witnesses of his sufferings, and of the fortitude
and patience with which he endured them. AVhen
exercised with excruciating pain, he often said,
" O Lord, if it be tliy will, release me from this
state of sorrow and affliction; nevertheless, not
my will but thine be done." He said, " I have
no fear of dying ; I long to depart, that I may be
with Christ ; but I must wait his time."

When his pain abated a little, he often re-
peated : —

" Heaven alren(ly is beg-nn,

Ojien'd in each lieliever ;
Only believoj and still sine;' on,

Heaven is ours tor ever."

The last words he was heard to utter, were,

" Far from a world of q-iief and sin,
With God eternally shut iu."

S04- LIFE OF DE. COKE.

Such was the man, and such the death of him
wlio Avas tlie president of the first IVIethodist con-
ference after the death of JNIr. AVesley. And of
this conference Dr. Coke was the secretary-, and
consequently had a very principal hand in all the
business of it. It got well over ; there was a divi-
sion in the body ; and the preachers separated and
repaired to tlieir several circuits, probably more
united in heart than ever they were before.

One of tiie very first disagreeable circmn-
stances after ^Ir. Wesley's death, was some dis-
pute with his executors, about the property he
had in books.

In his will, he had given all his books on sale
to his executors, in trust for the conference. But
afterwards being apprized of difficulties that might
arise from private persons having the control of
the property of the conference, and which was
intended to help to carry on the work, he made a
codicil to his will, or, a testamentary deed, and
put tlie books into the power of seven of the
preachers. The dispute, therefore, laid more im-
mediately between these and the executors. —
These preachers conveyed, as JNIr. Wesley designed
they should, the property to the conference : and
the executors quietly submitted.

The next painful circumstance was, the dis-
pute between Dr. Whitehead and the executors
on the one hand, and Dr. Coke and iNIr. Henry
Moore, and the body of the preachers on the other,
about writing the lite of Mr. Wesley.

l\lr. Wesley had said in his will, " I give all
my manuscripts to Thomas Coke, Dr. Whitehead,
and Henry INIoore, to be burnt or published, as
they see good."

Immediately after the funeral of Mr. Wesley,
]\Tr. W^olfF, Mr. Horton, and Mr. Marriott, his
executors, published an advertisen^^ent, cautioning

LIFE OF DR. COKE. 305

the public against receiving any spurious account
of his hfe ; signifying that a true history or " nar-
rative" of him ^vould be given and signed by them.
They then requested Dr. Whitehead to write the
history of his hfe; the preachers in town, and
many of the society, joining in the same request.
And this request they made to 1dm, they said, not
because Dr. Coke was then out of England, but
because Dr. Whitehead was judged the most pro-
per person to write it. For some tiiiie, the Doctor
refused to undertake the work, but about the be-
ginning of June, 1791, he yielded to their repeated
solicitations. In consequence of this compliance,
the executors signed an advertisement, signifying
that Dr. Whitehead was appointed to write the
life : and this advertisement was printed and cir-
culated in his proposals of publishing it by sub-
scription.

It was reasonable, that Dr. Whitehead, if he
wrote the life, should derive some advantages from
it ; but what these were to be, was not mentioned
at that time. He afterwards mentioned a hundred
pounds. But upon reflection, he thought that
would be hiring himself to do it ; and that if the
money was paid from the book-room, the preachers
would deem the manuscript piu'chased, and might,
and probably would alter it without his consent.
Dr. Whitehead then proposed to have as his com-
pensation for writing JMr. Wesley's life, one-half
of the profits arising from it for two years ; after
which the whole should be the property of the
conference for ever. To this proposal the three
executors agreed. Dr. Coke, who by this time
was got to London, and JNIr. Moore, gave their
consent : Mr. Wesley's manuscripts were accord-
ingly delivered to Dr. Whitehead. But shortly a
misapprehension, whether from misrepresentation
or not, I pretend not to determine, took place, as

10 Q Q

306 LIFE OF DR. COKE.

to the remuneration the Doctor was to have-
Some urged he had agreed to take the hundred
guineas, while he contended for one-half of the
profits for two years. During this state of the
business, the conference met. The publication of
a life of ]Mr. Wesley, among other things, was
taken into consideration. Some objected to Dr.
Whitehead being the writer of it, chiefly on ac-
count of his kown versatility, and the short time
that had elapsed since his return to the connexion.
Formerly he had been a travelling preacher for
some years. He then, at his own request, was
permitted by Mr. Wesley to go to Kingswood-
school to learn Latin and Greek. He afterwards
studied physic, became a professed medical man,
and joined the Quakers. But about three years
before the death of ]\Ir. Wesley, he again joined
the Methodists, and INIr. Wesley and his friends
treated him with great attention and respect. Mr.
Wesley took his advice respecting his bodily com-
plaints, and Dr. Whitehead attended him in his
last illness.

The ol]^ections to Dr. Whitehead, as Mr.
Wesley's biographer, were over-ruled, and he was
authorised by the conference to compile the hfe,
only they understood that his reward was to be a
hundred guineas. But a more disagTeeable cir-
cumstance to him was, the appointment of a com-
mittee to examine every thing which should be
proposed to be printed at their press during the
year. It is true, he was made one of this com-
mittee ; but then it consisted also of Dr. Coke,
the Rev. .Tames Creighton, the Rev. Peard Dick-
inson, Mr. James Rogers, JMr. Richard Rodda,
and INlr. George Whitfield. Messrs. Creighton
and Dickinson were a sort of chaplains at the
New Chapel, City Road, and one or two other
Methodist Chapels, in London ; JMr. Rogers was

LIFE OF DR. COKE. 307

at that time superintendent of the London circuit ;
JMr. Rodda one of the preachers stationed in
that circuit; and IVIr. Whitfield was then the
book-steward.

Dr. Whiteliead had begun to write the hfe,
and proposals had been printed by the committee,
and sent into the circuits, in order that the preach-
ers might procure subscriptions. But he, not lik-
ing the proposed terms and restrictions, and pro-
bably instigated by some of his friends, was not
long before he announced that he would publish
^Ir. AVesley's hfe as an independent man ; that he
would make such use of the manuscripts of jVIr,
Wesley, wdiich he had in his power, as he himself
should think proper ; and further, that he would
not suffer these manuscripts to be examined, unless
Dr. Coke and JNIr. Moore would engage, that lie
should retain in his hands such papers as he should
judge necessary for the writing of the life. He
required likewise, that the copy-right should
belong to him ; and that, if it w^as published from
the book-room, he should have half the profits. —
Thus a dispute, which appeared very small, and
no way alarming in the beginning, increased, and
became so imbittered, that it could not be stopt,
till it had spent its force; a dispute, which all
friends to the general cause deplored. This con-
tention occasioned great imeasiness, not only in
London, but throughout the whole connexion.

The seven trustees of Mr. Wesley's testamen-
tary deed, consented that Dr. Whitehead should
have one-half of the clear profits of the work ibr
two years, provided the manuscript should be
approved by the committee appointed to superin-
tend the printing. He w^as w illing to accept of the
proposed profits, but would not subniit to the
inspection and controul. Much was then, and has
since, been said and pubhshed on both sides of the

308 LIFE OF DK. COKE.

question ; but the reader is left to his own reflec-
tions. No agreement took place; but a life of
Mr. Wesley being advertised, the connexion ex-
pected one to make its appearance. The seven
trustees, therefore, of jMr. Wesley's testamentary
deed, appointed Dr. Coke and JMr. Moore, the two
other trustees of My. AVesley's manuscripts, to
compile a life as was first intended. It was done
accordingly, and, as might naturally be expected,
an edition of 10,000 copies was sold in a few weeks.
As this was the first publication of any mag-
nitude of which Dr. Coke could be called an author,
it may be tlie more proper to add a few words res-
pecting it.

Dr. Whiteliead having, as we have already
stated, INIr. Wesley's manuscripts in his posses-
session, positively refused to give them up. Dr.
Coke and INIr. JNIoore were therefore inider some
serious inconvenience in writing the life, for want
of those papers to consult. But their long and
intimate acquaintance with JMr. Wesley, supplied,
in a measiu'e, tlie want of these manuscripts.

In the preface they say, JMr. Wesley is uni-
versally allowed to have been an extraordinary
man ; but. that, like all eminent men, he paid to
the public the usual tax of censure ; that many
were liis enemies, and the aspersions thrown out
against him, but that he rose above them all. —
They say their history of him is chiefly taken out
of his journals and other authentic papers in print
and manuscript ; and express a hope that it ma}?^
serve as a focus, imiting the scattered rays of this
burning and shining light. They declare, "There
is nothing material respecting him, that is not
given in this volume. All his private papers were
open to us for several years. lie himself also
informed us of many important passages of his
life, Avhich he never inserted in his journals, and
are known to few but ourselves."

LIFE OF DR. COKE. , 309

Tliey add, *• We are sensible that history is a
iiaiTative of facts, properly connected and eluci-
dated. Such we trust, the following will be found.
Mr. Wesley needs no panegyrist. His works
shall praise him in the gates."

They seemed to have proceeded under the
impression of this last idea through the whole of
the work. It is not a panegyric, but a regular,
unadorned statement, or narrative of matters of
fact, set forth in order. Had they chosen to
eulogize they had abundance of matter to v^ork
upon. But they left the facts recorded to speak
to the minds of their numerous readers. Hence
the book is not written in the style so much used
by the writers of the llomish church, and which
has been too much imitated by many Protestant
authors. They have not over-coloured his virtues
in order to dazzle the eyes of the spectators.

Before I quit this subject, I would just re-
mark, that Dr. Whitehead also published a life of
INIr. Wesley, and a life of his brother Charles
along with it. And what is more than could have
been looked for in those days, the two different
lives, the one by Dr. Coke and Mr. Moore, and
the other by Dr. AVhitehead, lie very peaceably
in the same warehouse, are advertised in the same
catalogue, are sold from the same Methodist
book-room, at the City -Road, London; and are
found together upon the shelves of many Metho-
dists, and as free from all strife and contention as
I believe their authors will be when they all meet
together in a better country, to which, I believe,
two of them are akeady gone.

It Avas at an early stage of the French Revolu-
tion that Dr. Coke resolved to visit France. The
national church was overturned, and the churches
declared national property, though the reign of
terror had not yet fully commenced. The intole-

310 LIFE OF DB. COKE.

rant laws against the ProtestantvS, which had hecn
m force since the revocation of the edict of Naiitz,
were abohshed ; the Doctor, therefore, felt a desire
to try whether any good could be done in that
country by the preaching of the gospel. He had
been some time studying the French language,
but he was not, as yet, able to preach extempore
in that language ; but he could write and read it,
though it may be taken for certain that he was
deficient in the pronunciation of it. Methodism
had already gained some little footing in Nor-
mandy, in consequence of the visits of some
preachers from the Norman isles. The Doctor,
taking one or two of those preachers with him,
visited Paris, hired a church, and published for
preaching. His congregations were but small,
though he preached, that is, read a sermon,
several times. His encouragements were not
sufficient to induce a continuance of the attempt,
and as he had engaged the church for some time,
and at some considerable expense, he was in
danger of being a good deal out of pocket ; but a
lady, a nun, who had attended his preaching,
gave him full credit for the piety of his intentions,
and sent him an invitation to take breakfast with
her at her nimnery. According to the rule of
those places, there was an iron grating between
them ; he sat on one side, and she on the other,
handing him his tea, &c. through a hole in that
partition. Slie told him that she had heard the
Methodists when in London, that she thought
well of his motives for visiting Paris, and as she
knew his expenses must be considerable, especially
for the hire of the church, presented him with
a sum of money that would about bear him
hannless.

The French were at that time too much
enraptiu-ed with ideas about liberty and equality,

LtfJL OF DR. COkH. 3U

And. wete too generally fl}'ing from Popery into
Deism, to pay much attention to any thing a
stranger could say to tliem about the plain un-
adorned religion of the bible. But though Dr.
Coke could do nothing at that time in France,
tie warmly cherished the desire and expectation of
accomplishing something after the fever of the
revolution should be over and peace re-established.
With a view to this, he had a French emigi-ant
for his companion for several years, to assist him
in perfecting himself in the knowledge and pro-
nunciation of the French tongue.

But it is time for us once more to follow the
Doctor across the Western Main, in his fifth visit
to the shores of America, and we shall find that
in these visits he never went empty-handed. — He
did not, indeed, carry out large quantities of sil-
ver and gold, but he took with him what was
more valuable, and what they needed much more,
namely, sei'vants' of the most high God, to shew
unto them the way of salvation. However he
was more slenderly stocked this voyage than
usual : — ^he took out with him only Mr. Graham,
as a missionary to the AVest Indies.

I once thought of inserting in this place the
Doctor's Journal of his " Fifth Tour to America,"
but fearing 1 should not have room for more im-
portant matter, I am induced to omit it, only
extracting from it the principal particulars : —

On the first of September, 1792, he and IMr.
Graham embarked at Gravesend, and the next day
set sail for America. At the Captain's desire they
immediately began to have prayers in the sliip.
He says, " I find a ship a most convenient place
for study ; though it is sometimes great exercise
to my feet, legs, and arms, to keep myself steady
to write. From the time 1 rise till bed-time, ex-
cept during meals, I have the cabin-table to my-

312 IJFE OP DR. COKE.

self, and v»'ork at it incessantly. — I laave six
canary-birds over my liead, which sing most de-
lightfiill)^" October ^ili lie wrote in his Journal,
— " This is my birth-day, I am now forty-five.
Let me take a view of my past life. — What is the
sum of all? What have I done ? And what am
I ? I have done nothing ; no, nothing ; and I am
a sinner ! God be merciful to me !"

Oct. 20, he says — " I renewed my covenant
with God this morning, in a solemn and happy
temper as ever I experienced ; my first espousals
to God not excepted."

Oct. SOtk, 1792, he landed at Newcastle, in
the State of Delaware. He rode seventy miles in
a day and a few hours, and arrived at Baltimore
just in time enough to take some refreshment and
a little sleep, before the commencement of the
General Conference, which lasted fifteen days.

On the 29tk of November, he had a remark-
able deliverance at New York. He went to the
wharfs to look out for a vessel to carry him to the
West Indies, and in ascending the side of a brig
his foot slipt. — He alighted on something at the
edge of the water, which supported him; and
with the assistance of those who were near, he
was raised on board. But when he looked back
on the situation in which he had been a few mo-
ments before, he was struck with awe : his danger
had been imminent. " Six times," said he, " I
have been in the very jaws of death, upon or near
the water, and yet am still preserved, a monument
of mercy in every respect !"

It was at tliis time that he prepared for the
press his sermon on " The AVitness of the Spirit."

On the 1 2th of December, he sailed for St.
Eustatius, in the West Indies, being accompanied
by Mr. Black, the presiding elder in the provinces
of Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. Here he

LIFE OF DR, COKE. 313

found there had been some fierce persecution of
the ISIethodists. The governor of St. Eustatius
was a rough, rude man, and would not suffer them
to preach : and the poor slaves, from one end of
tiie island to the other, who met together to sing
and pray, and talk on religious subjects, were
cart-whipped, and many of them imprisoned. —
The consequence was, that the society was almost
dispersed. About half a dozen little classes met
in corners ; and yet there was not a single chris-
tian minister, of any denomination, in the whole
island. From St. Eustatius he sailed for St.
Christopher's, and there received information that
a dreadful persecution had arisen in St. Vincent's,
and that Mr. Lumb was at that time. in the com-
mon prison of the island, for preaching the gospel,
as is mentioned at large in my account of the
mission in St. Vincent's.

The Doctor paid a \'isit to the island of
Grenada. He lodged at Mr. Dent's, the rector
of St. George's, preached in his church, and was
pleased and refreshed with the state of the society ;
and after remaining about a week in Grenada, he
departed for Tortola, and in his way touched at
Nevis and St. Christopher's. After spending three
days in Tortola, he embarked for Antigua, and
on the 9th of February, the West India Confer-
ence commenced, which continued five days. The
Doctor says — " We examined all the important
minutes of the preceding Conferences, and left
nothing unconsidered, I think, which would be
useful to each other, or to the work in general.
Our debates were free and full : all the preachers
.seemed to speak their whole mind on every impor-
tant subject, and, I believe, much profit will
accrue to the work from the regulations which we
then made. One of the sermons which I preached

10 R r

314 LIFE OF DPt. COKE.

before the Conference was accompanied with pecu-
liar unction ; it was one of my best times."

In the whole of the West India islands there
were, at this time, twelve missionaries, and 6570
members in society.

The Doctor next visited Barbadoes, and sailed
from thence for Jamaica. He visited sundry parts
of this island, and preached with considerable
encouragement and some opposition.

On the lUh of May, he sailed from Jamaica
for England. As the vessel in which he sailed
w^as entering the mouth of the English Channel,
on the 4th of June, they were chased by a French
privateer : for twenty-four hours the chase con-
tinued, till the privateer was within about a mile
and a half of the packet. — They had no force suffi-
cient to make any resistance : all was despair
among the crew and passengers, till, behold!
Eord Hood appeared, with eleven sail of the line»
and all their accompaniments, boimd for the JVIedi-
terranean. — The privateer made off towards France.
" Thus," says the Doctor, " did Providence de-
liver us. Then praise the Lord, O my soul, and
all that is within me bless his holy name. Praise
the Lord, O my soul : while I live, will I praise
the Lord ; yea, as long as I have any being will I
sing praises to my God."

In the beginning of June, then, in 1793, the
Doctor arrived once more in England, after an
absence of more than nine months. The Confer-
ence was that year at Leeds : he was chosen secre-
tary that year, (as he almost always was when he
was not the president ;) and he was not this year
the president of tlie Irish Conference. Mi\
iVlather was appointed to fill that office; but vv'Iien
he considered that he should hardly know any
^thing of the preachers, or their affiiirs, he re-
(•ucsted IMr. John Crook, then stationed in Ii'e-
land, to be his substitute in the chair.

LIFE OF DR. COKE. 315

The aifairs of Methodism were at this period
in a very fermented state. Many of the trustees
of chapels struggled for a larger share of power
than many of the preachers thought could be
conceded to them without endangering and in-
juring the cause.

But what most enffao-ed and ao;itated the
Connexion was a struggle about what was called
keeping to the old plan, on the admission of inno-
vations or alterations. The innovations were, the
having service in the Methodist chapels at the
same hours the service was at the churches, at the
respective places ; the preachers baptising cliildren,
giving the Lord's Supper, and burying the dead,
where burying - grounds were provided. Very
little of any of these was allowed in the life-time
of JNIr. Wesley; and many did seriously think,
that if these innovations were introduced, that
tlie prosperity of Methodism would come to an
end. INIuch stress was laid upon the necessity of
keeping to the old plan. It is a tribute due to the
memory of Dr. Coke to say, that he was a warm
and firm advocate for such plans of proceeding as
were the most liberal, and best calculated to meet
the various circumstances of the Connexion. In
a strong contention which took place in the city
of Bristol, in the summer of 1794, he gave very
ample proof of this. The trustees of the two
oldest of the JNlethodist chapels in that city were
strenuous advocates for the old plan : the Confer-
ence was there that year, and experienced much
embarrassment from those trustees ; and one of
the preachers, Mr. Henry JNIoore, being rather in
favour of allowing the people to have the sacra-
ments of baptism and the Lord's supper among
themselves, and the service in church -hours, wliere
they desired those privileges, the trustees in Bris-
tol objected to his being appointed for their circuit ;

316 LIFE OF DR. COKE.

and when the Conference, notvvithstandinpf their
remonstrances, did fix him for Bristol, the preach-
ers had scarcely left the place, when the trustees
employed an attorney to inform him, that no
person or persons had a right to appoint preachers
for their chapels but themselves; that they had
not so appointed him, and it was at his peril that
he should attempt to trespass upon their premises.

From the high tone of power and authority
that was expressed in this mandatory address, it
is not difficult to discover, that there was an in-
tention of effecting something more than the
mere support of the old plan, that is, of prevent-
ing the introduction of the ordinances and service
in church-hours : it is evident that this was little
more than a pretext : a higher object was the
assumption of paramount authority in the ap-
pointment of the preachers, and consequently in
every thing. But had this been confined to the
trustees in Bristol, the alarm would not have been
so great ; but there was too much reason to believe
that there was a sort of combination among many
of the principal trustees throughout the Connex-
ion, for assuming and exercising such a power as
in all probabihty would highly impede, if not
totally destroy the itinerant plan. Dr. Coke was
upon the spot, and instantly took a most vigorous
part in defence of Mr. JNIoore and (he authority of
the Conference, together with the privileges of the
people. A considerable part both of the preachers
and people, throughout the Connexion, espoused
that side of the question, while many took the
other side. This dispute caused a great agitation
among the INIethodists during the whole of tliat
year : very much depended upon the issue, for it
was very justly called the Crisis of 3Iet/iodis?n.
But though the more liberal party had greatly the
jidvantiige in point of numbers, as well as argu-

I-IFE OF Dl'v. COKE. S17

ment, tliey were Avilling to agree to such a com-
promise as miglit accommodate all parties. — •I.u
this tJie good spirit of Dr. Coke was very conspi-
cuously displayed. However, nothing could be
effectually done till the meeting of the Confer-
ence; and almost as soon as the preachers were
assembled, the Doctor moved — " That a connnit-
tee should be appointed to draw up a plan of paci-
fication; that is, such a plan as might pacify those
who are now dissatisfied, and preserve peace in
future."

A committee of nine preachers was accord-
ingly chosen by tlie ballot of the Conference, of
wliich committee Dr. Coke was a distinguished
member, while he was at the same time the secre-
tary of the Conference. Such a plan was drawn
up as was generally approved of both by tlie
preachers and people, and which served generally
to restore and preserve the peace of the body.
^This was hi the year 179''>> ^^nd the Conference
was held at JManchester.

Ikit by taking such a decided and active part
against one considerable branch of the Connexion,
the Doctor made some of his former friends into
enemies, from which he experienced considerable
inconvenience when he went about collecting for
the support of the missions, especially as many of
those persons were of the more wealthy descrip-
tion. And he had such a persuasion resting upon
his mind of his peculiar call to promote the mis-
sions, and consequently to conduct himself in
such a way as would do this the most effectually,
that he openly declared, after the termination of
the above dispute, that " he would never sacrifice
himself any more."

As when the ocean has been agitated by a
violent storm, it is some time after the wind ceases
before it becomes tranquil, so it was now with the
Methodist Connexion.

3IS LIFE OF DR. COKE.

There were some who were not satisfied with
the adopted plan of pacification, and some who,
having been conspicuously active, and with some
measure of approbation, did not seem willing to
sink down again into quiet obscurity. The most
notable instance of this was Mn AJexander Kilham,
who had been a travelling preacher about ten or
eleven years, but without any tiling very remarkable
about him either as to his superiority or inferiority,
excellencies or deficiencies. He had, however,
attracted some notice by his writings during the
dispute which originated in Bristol ; and having
contracted a taste for writing, be still went on.
The writer of these sheets does not think that Mr.
Kilham was what is commonly called a bad man,
or that he was actuated by bad motives ; but he
wished to be doing something, and if possible
something new. He seems to have over^rated his
own abilities and influence, and was deficient in
foresight, prudence, and candour ; he had ^Iso
imbibed the levelling principles which then so
greatly agitated the political world, and applied
them to religion. — Of coui-se he attacked the in*-
stituted authorities, and especially those that were
the highest. But neither his friends nor his-
enemies seem to have noticed one thing, namely,
that his conduct as a writer, between the Confer*
ence of 1795 to that of 1796, was the reverse of
that of the preceding year. In the former year
he obtained his notoriety by writing against the
attempt of the trustees to exercise dominion over
the preachers and people ; but in the latter year
he advocated the principle he had before opposed,
t)nly he was for putting it in other hands, or rather
indeed, generally in the same hands, only in a
new office ; for had liis scheme been adopted by
the Methodist Connexion, the same men who had
sought for dominion as trudecs, would ha^ e exer-
cised rule and authority at the head of their

LIFE OF BR. COKE. 319

respective societies, and as lay-deUgatcs. And
this has been clearly proved by those who ranged
themselves under Mr. Kilham's banner, or have
since been preachers in what is called the New
Connexion. So that while Mr. Kilham accused
^some of his former friends and correspondents of
dereliction of professed principle, it was himself
who was the real changeling, and who was propa-
gating a system, which, while it robbed the preach-
ers of their legitimate scriptural authority, would
not add any thing to the real liberty of the people.
He published a book which he entitled " The
Progress of Liberty," in which, among thing's of
a better description, there were sundry paragraphs
that were highly exceptionable. Some of these
were gross reflections upon the characters of some
of the preachers, in support of which, when called
upon, he could adduce no proof: and being sup-
ported by a number of friends among the people,
though his best friends among the preachers could
say nothing in his vindication, he stiffly refused to
make concessions, so that there seemed to be no
alternative but that either he should proceed in a
lawless unjustifiable way, or that the Conference
should dismiss him. They accordingly did re-
nounce him. If some more lenient measure could
have been adopted, it might, perhaps, have pre-
vented the convulsions and divisions which fol-
lowed in sundry parts of the Connexion. In
several places which he now visited he represented
•himself, and was considered by many as a martyr :
and when the Conference next assembled, which
was at Leeds, in the year 1797, Mr. Kilham and
many of his friends appeared in the town, and
erected the standard of separation. About five
thousand in the different circuits, chiefly in York-
shire and Lancashire, renounced what they now
called the Old Connexion, and declared in favour
of the new itinerancy.

330 LIFE OF DIl. COKE.

Ill this Conference some of the senior preach-
ers were much alarmed, and were somewhat de-
jected by the reproaches cast upon them by the
new party. To wipe off, or balance these, they
requested the junior prcacliers, that is, all who
liad not travelled more than fourteen years, to
meet together by themselves, and draw up and
sign a declaration in their favour. They met
together accordingly, chose a chairman and secre-
tary, and began to converse ; but there was a diffi-
culty in the way : some of these juniors had fre-
quently expressed their dissatisfaction with some
parts of the conduct of some of the seniors Avho
took the lead at the Conference. — They did not
object to the piety of these men, or their general
conduct and character, but to some parts of their
conduct in the Conferences, in v»'hich they thought
them occasionally rather dictatorial and overbearing.
!But as IMr. Kilham and his coadjutors had said at
least enough upon this, and all other real and sup-
posed defects of these senior preachers, the conven-
tion of the juniors drew uj) a declaration, whicli
expressed nothing but their excellencies, though
without either admitting or denying their imperfec-
tions. Whether they were perfectly justifiable in
this I shall not now determine. They were not con-
scious of any real inconsistency or contradiction,
and especially as they spoke their Vv^iole mind in
the meeting at the same time. Ihit many others
did not see through the whole of the complicated
affair as they themselves did, and the consequence
was, that some of them, whose sentiments were no
secrets, were reproached as being guilty of incon-
sistency and flattery. The writer of these sheets
being the chairman, shared very largely in this
reproach ; but he thinks unjustly. If these brethren
did act wrong, they have been amply pi:nished ;
and if thov did right, one day will do thera

LIFE OF DR. COKE. 321

justice. And there I leave them and the whole
affiiir. So far as this measure tended to tranquillize
the connection, it gave me pleasure ; but I haA'^e
often reflected upon some of the circumstances
with pain. Dr. Coke was the president of this
memorable conference, and Mr. Eradburn the
secretary. The Doctor had taken a very active
part against the publications and measures of Mr.
ivilham and his friends, d\n*ing the two preceding
years. The agitations and divisions of the Con-
nexion, however, had risen to such a height, that
to meet the prevaiUng ideas, and stay the plague,
the Conference agreed to surrender considerable
portions of authority, hitherto exercised by the
preachers at their discretion, into the hands of the
stewards and leaders. It was right, that the peo-
ple, the stewards, and leaders, should have all the
rights to which the bible entitled them. But it
was equally right, the preachers should retain the
authority they could scripturally claim, and espe-
cially such as was necessary to the due exercise of
their office in all places and circumstances. But
tlie writer of these sheets was never yet convinced,
that more was not conceded than the bible will
sanction ; and he has been acquainted with some
cases in which very serious consequences have
resulted from a practical application of the new
rules then made. They look somewhat plausible
upon paper ; and where they are never acted upon
they do no hurt ; and where they are acted upon
they may not do much harm, provided the lead-
ing men of the society be not only very pious,
but men of judgment and prudence, and who
keep their eye upon the bible, and study to pro.-
mote peace and unity. But, where circumstances
are of a different description ; when there are cer-
tain men, who, like Diotrephes, love to have the
pre-eminence, or whea^e there are parties formed,
(No. 11.) S s

322 LIFE OF dh. coke.

for purposes not calculated to do good, but the con-
trary, and especially Avhen there may be in a
society a considerable degree of corruption and
disorder, and where the most complete, firm, and
vigorous exercises of pastoral authority are ne-
cessary, in order to set matters to rights, and
keep them so ; the man who attempts so to do,
will sometimes find himself bound hand and foot,
with the concessions w^hich were then wrung from
the Conference. Certain majorities will shew him,
that lie is so far from having power to hind or
loose any thing upon earth, as our Saviour em-
powered his disciples to do, Blat. xvii. 19- — xviii. 18.
that himself has his hands so bound upon his back,
that he can do nothing, but lament that he fills an
office, some of the functions of which he has not
power to execute. If he attempts it, he will be,
perhaps, trumpeted abroad as a disturber of Israel,
and a tyrant. In relation to such cases as these,
we might say to IVlethodism., or rather to a super-
intendent, as Jesus Christ said to Peter, " When
thou wast young, thou girdedst thyself, and walk-
edst whither thou wouldest : but when thou shalt
be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and
another shall gird them, and carry thee whither
thou wouldest not;" John xxi. 18. How plausi-
ble soever it may appear, or however agreeable to
the taste of such as acquire additional influence by
it, whatever is not founded upon the bible, is
neither good in itself, nor will be productive of
good consequences. And had the apostles been
fettered with the rules of 1797, they could not
have purged the churches of sundry sinners, that
they sometimes found in them. INIr. ^Vesley
would never have agreed to them ; and ]Methodism
existed and prospered without them for nearly
sixty years. But I think these rules capable of
such modifications, as might make them satisfac-

LIFE OF DR. COKE. 323

toiy to reasonable christians on all sides. But
some may say, the connection has been more
peaceable and tranquil since 1797.. than it was for
some years before. To this I answer, This com-
parative tranquillity may be easily accounted for in
other ways. Prior to that period, the fermenta-
tions arose out of the novel circumstances in
which JMethodism had been placed, by the death
of Mr. AVesley, and the struggles of different
parties, v/ho differed in judgment and disposition,
to accomplish what they thought would be for
the best. And these convulsions were neither
unaccountable nor unexpected. Eut they were
not expected on account of there being at that
time no such rules, but from other causes. And
though the Connexion has enjoyed more peace,
and as much prosperity, since that period, I do not
believe that either the peace or prosperity have
been so great, taking the whole body into the
account, as would have been the case, had the
Methodists, in that respect, gone on upon some-
thing nearer tJie old plan. I am quite confident
as to one point, and that is, that no man, or num-
ber of men, can improve upon the bible : and that
no man, however wise, can mend the institutions
of infinite wisdom. They who have set up for
such wisdom, have always shev>^n themselves to be
fools,

I had rather see a new testament produced
in an assembly of christians and christian minis-
ters, or liear a passage quoted from it, than see
their table loaded with human creeds and direc-
tories. I promised the reader to say something
about church government, and he sees I have not
altogether forgotten my engagement. But I
assure him, I am no enemy to true liberty, nor a
friend to despotism, in any shape, or among any
description of people. I am not for placing the

324< LIFE OF DE. COKE.

ministers of righteousness and order above all law
andeontroul. I do most cordially disapprove of
every attempt to lord it over God's heritage. I
believe the overdoing arbitrary conduct of some
preachers, contributed to promote that clamour
which led to the concessions. I believe the min-
isters of the gospel are tlie servants, though not
the slaves of the people. They are to serve the
people in gospel-labours, but it is no where said
they are to be ruled and governed by the people.
I believe that few cases would occur in which a
minister ought to act contrary to the views of the
people, and especially of the more intelligent and
principal members. But such cases may occur,
and some times do occur ; but according to the
rules Avhich bind down the preachers to an imiver-
sal and uniform decision of stewards and leaders,
ministerial authority, in such instances, is render-
ed null and void. And to say the truth at once,
when ministers are in all cases to be ruled by the
dictates of aiiy part of the people, they cannot be
said to be over those people, but rather under
them. Bring this idea to the law and to the testi-
mony. Turn to 1 Thes. v. 12. 13. " And we be-
seech you, brethren, to know them which labour
among you, and are over you in the Lord, and
admonish you ; and esteem them veiy highly in
love for their work's sake. And be at peace
among yourselves." This comprehensive exhorta-
tion expresses the office and duties of ministers, as
well as what should be the spirit and practice of
the people towards them. They ought to labour
among them ; to govern them, and admonish
them.

1. They ou^kt to labour. The ministry is not
merely an office^ but also a ivork. He does not
say, them who receive tythes from you, or who
live in indolence among you ; but them who labour
among you.

LIFE OF DR. COKE. S95

Dr. Coke published some years ago, " Four
.Discourses on the Duties of a Minister of the
Gospel,' the notice of which very properly comes
in here. The text is, 2 Tim. iv. 1 . 5. He begins
by observing, that " the ministerial office is the
most important to the human race of any v/hich
is exercised upon earth : for, according to the
order of the dispensation of grace, the preaching
of the gospel is indispensably necessary to raise
mankind out of the ruin of their fall, to deliver
them from all the miseries which spring from an
everlasting banishment from God, and to bring
them to the eternal enjoyment of him, the
Sovereign Good, at whose right hand are pleasures
for evermore. The ministers of the gospel are
particularly charged with the high interests of
mankind : they are like those angels, whom Jacob
beheld on the sacred ladder, ascending and de-
scending to and from heaven : they are the mouth
of the congregation at the throne of God, and
open the bosom of his mercies upon the miseries
of man : they officially speak in the name of
Christ, whom the Father always hears."

" 1. " Preach the word ;" the word of God,
which is able to save the soul. It may be said of
every faithful minister, as it was of his Lord, he
*' is set for the rising again of many in Israel."
Luke ii. 34. Elijah, ascending to heaven, and
leaving his spirit of zeal to his disciple Elisha, was
designed as a type of Jesus Christ, who, after
he had ascended to the right hand of the Father,
sent down on his disciples that spirit of zeal and
fire, which was the seal of their mission ; by
which they were to set on fire and purify the world,
and carry to all nations the knowledge of salva-
tion, and the love of truth and righteousness.
Scarcely are they thus filled with the Holy Ghost,
but these men, before so timid, so careful to hide

326 LIFE OF DR. COKE.

themselves, to withdi-aw themselves from the fuiy
of the Jews, leave their retreat like generous lions,
know danger no more, bear in their countenance
an intrepidity in the way of duty which sets at
defiance all the powers of the earth, boldly bear
testimony for Christ before the assembly of the
chief priests, and depart from the council rejoicing
to be thought worthy to sufter reproach for Jesus's
lioly name. Judea cannot satisfy the ardour and
extent of their zeal : they pass from city to city,
from nation to nation ; they spread tliemselves to
the extremities of the earth ; they attack the most
ancient aud most authorized abuses ; they tear
aw^ay from the most barbarous peoj)le, the idols
which their ancestors had at all times adored.
They overturn the altars, which continual incense
and homage had rendered respectable: they
preach up the reproach and foolishness of the cross
to the most polished nations, who piqued them-
selves most upon their eloquence, philosophy, and
wisdom : the obstacles which all things presented
to their zeal, instead of abating it, only give it
new force, and seem every-where to announce their
successes : the whole world conspires against them,
and they are stronger than the world : crosses and
gibbets are shewn to them to put a stop to their
preaching; and they answer, tliat they cannot
but declare what they have seen and heard ; and
they publish on the house tops what was con-
fided to them in secret : they now expire under
the axe of the executioners : new torments are
invented to extinguish with tlieir blood the new
doctrine which they preach, and their blood
preaches it still more after their death; and the more
the earth is \\'atered with it, the more does she
bring forth new disciples to the gospel. Such was
the spirit of the ministry of the apostleship which
they received: and every minister of the gospel is
an ambassador of Jesus Christ among men. But

LIFE OF DR. COKE. 327

" II. " Be instant in season, and out of season ;
reprove, rebuke, exhort, with all long-suffering
and doctrine."

" Be always ready and always zealous for the
public duties of your office. You must deny
yourselves of retirement and repose, that you may
be active in the duties of your office. The Me-
thodists are a race of reprovers. It is their
reproach, it is to their honour, it is the glory of
the cross they bear, that every christian, of every
sect and party, Avho dares become a reprover
of vice, is immediately stigmatized with the name
of Methodist — may they never lose that cross,
that glory, till vice is banished from the world,
and " the earth is full of the knowledge of the
Lord, as the waters cover the sea."

I did not intend to make so large an extract,
but as it is from a publication of Dr. Coke's, and
i« so excellent, I think it requires no apology,
especially as it shews the views he had of the
duties of a minister of the gospel.

A minister should watch over those com-
mitted to his care as one who must oive an
account. But

2. A minister ought to govern those among
whom he labours: or in the language of the
apostle, to be " over them in the Lord'' Repeat-
edly does the new testament declare, directly or
indirectly, the right which a minister has, by vir-
tue of Ins office, to exercise rule over the church
of Christ, and consequently enjoins obedience on
the people. " Remember them who have had the
rule over you," Heb. xiii. 7. But had those who
spoke unto them been bound to be controuled con-
tinually by a majority of themselves, or of their
inferior officers, it would have been more proper
to have said, " Remember those whom yon, refused
to let rule over yoic, and over whom you ruled"

328 LIFE OI^ DH. COKE.

Ministers are repeatedly mentioned in the
Epistles of Paul, as persons whose office is to rule
the church of God,

3. A minister ought to " admonislr his peo-
ple. He ought to exercise a constant watchful-
ness over his flock, exhorting, rebuking, caution-
ing, instructing, and encouraging them, as their
circumstances may require. These are the duties
of the minister.

But what are the duties of the people towards
him ?

1. They must " knoxv" him. This must sig-
nify the acknowledging of him in his different
official capacities, and behaving towards him agree-
ably to such acknowledgment. They must know
him as a labourer among them, and diligeptly,
and in a proper manner and spirit, attend his
labours.

2. They should hrioxo him, that is, acknow-
ledge him, and that practically, as their ruler : as
one whom Providence and the church, if not also
their own choice, have placed over them, for their
good, to direct their proceedings, and Superintend
their conduct and church affairs. In the infallible
language of scripture, they ought to obey them
who have the rule over them, and suhnit them-
selves; Heb. xiii. 17. %

3. IMembers of christian societies, or churches,
ought to " know," or acknowledge, and give
proof of that, that it is the indispensable duty of
their ministers to " admonish'' them. To him this
can never be a pleasant duty, but the taking up of
a cross. It is disagreeable to flesh ^nd blood, and
may often endanger a minister with the loss of a
friend, and the creation of an enemy. When,
therefore, nothing but a painful sense of duty
could induce him to become a reprover, or to be a
faithful monitor, his cautions, reproofs, and warn-

LIFE OF DR COKE. 329

ings, should be respectfully and gratefully received,
especially as a minister, in this part of his office
particularly, should be considered as the immediate
messenger of God.

But some may ask, But why this long disser-
tation? Why, because something of the kind
naturally arose out of what I was narrating ; and
also because I was not without hope that my im-
perfect remarks might set some person's better
thoughts to work, which might possibly, at some
future day, lead to a revisal and amendment of
some rules made by the Methodist Conference of
1797. Surely no pious private member, or any
true christian, whatever office he might fill among
them, could object to their being closely examined
and compared with the bible, and to having them
so modified as to be fully conformable to it, as
well as suited to an itinerant ministry.

1 hope the public delivery of my sentiments
will not give any offence to any persons whatever.
I had no such intention ; and I have no intention
or desire to promote disturbance or discontent.
All my wishes and aims are the reverse of this.
Every man has a right to think for himself, and, if
he chooses, to publish his thoughts. I have done
so, I hope with candour, and I am sure with good
will.

To return to Dr. Coke. — I should, perhaps,
have mentioned earlier, that in the year 1796, he
paid his sixth visit to America. Certain things
greatly exercised his mind, at the Conference,
whicli was held in London, this year ; and such
were the sensations of his mind, when he took
leave of the Conference, that it seemed verv doubt-
ful, whether he would ever return to fingland.
And as afflictions, as well as comforts, often come
in couples, his passage across the Atlantic was the
most painful one he ever had ; the captain of the
11. T T

350 LIFE OF DR. COKE.

ship in which he sailed, behaved towards him witli
the utmost incivihty and barbarous rudeness. The
feehngs of the Doctor were probed and goaded to
the last degree. During this expedition also,
the vessel in which he was, was boarded by a
French privateer : for some time he was in their
hands, and they rifled him of his property.

While he was on the continent, it was agreed
between him and the American Conference, that
after revisiting England, and gaining the consent
of the Conference there, he should return and
spend the remainder of his days in America.
This awakened the affection ^nd attachment of
the English preachers to him, and they urged
him not to forsake them, and as a proof of their
regard, as well as a pledge of more respect being
shewn to him in future, he was for the first time
chosen President of the English Conference, in
1797, though that was the seventh Confer-
ence after the death of JNIr. Wesley. JMr.
Thompson, INIr. INIather, JMr. Rawson. INIr. Hanby,
Mr. Bradford, and Mr. Thomas Taylor, were all
called to the presidental chair before him. The
reasons for this delay in his elevation will be
easily gathered from what has been before men-
tioned. But the Doctor bore slights and humilia-
tions as a christian ought.

'* Nor plaintive words,

Nor murmur, from his lips were heard."

Meantime, he willingly and diligently did every
act and di'udgery belonging to the Connexion,
whether at the Conferences, or at other times.
And that in which he was the greatest and most
abject slave, was, his begging from house to house,
through England and Ireland, for the support of
the missions among the poor slaves in the West-
Indies. No fatigue, nor any rebuff or insult, could
induce him to refi'ain from this. And though

LIFE OF DR. COKE. 331

a man of a a soft and yielding spirit in some things,
in this business, he

" Set as a flint his steady face,
and " Harden'd to adamant iiis brow."

No house, however forbidding, nor man, however
great, and doubtful his disposition, could prevent
him, if he could get the opportunity for telling
his uniform and interesting tale, how he had
** stepped forth in the behalf of the Heathen f
what missionaries the Methodists had in the
West Indies; what success had attended their
labours ; but what a call there was for pecuniary
aid, kc. And tens upon tens of thousands of
pounds did he collect in this way, in the course of
between twenty and thirty years. His person being-
very agreeable, his voice soft and pleasing, and
being withal a very accomplished gentleman, the
very essence and perfection of good-breeding and
politeness, he often succeeded where many others
would have been sent empty away. Mr. Wesley
said, " I used to be able to do a little, with money
or without, but Dr. Coke has overshot me seven
times with my own bow." His lieart melted
and yearned, when he thought upon the poor
negroes : and as a recent production eloquently
says, " for years he stooped to the very drudgery
of charity, and gratuitously pleaded the cause of
a perishing world, from door to door." And
though he attached no merit either to this or any
other thing which he did, yet the reflection upon
this part of his labours of love afforded him satis-
faction, when he had, in a sense, done witli the
world, when he was embarked on shipboard for
India, and out of which he never got to set liis
foot upon land, but remained there, till after a
confinement of four months, which terminated in
a death so sudden and unexpected ; his fellow-pas-
sengers covimitted his body to the decp^ there to

332 LIFE OF DR. COKE.

remain till the sea shall give tip the dead that are
in he?\

After be had embarked, be wrote in bis
journal, " I bave a most charming study — I have
two large windows that open from the stern to
the sea — Here I employ almost all my time, and
nearly the whole of it, in reading and writing
Portuguese, excepting my hours of meditation,
which, indeed, I can hardly except : for my chief
study is my Portuguese bible. O bow sweet is
the word of God ! I have loved since I came into
this ship more than I ever did before :

*' Jesus gives me, in his word,

" Food and medicine, shield and sword."

I now feel, I think, more than ever, the value
of retirement, silence, and tranquillity of mind ;
and can say of my God what Virgil did of his
Augustus : " God himself has favoured me with
these leisure hours." And yet I cannot repent of
the thousands of hours which I have spent in the
most vile — the most glorious drudgery of begging
from bouse to house. The tens of thousands of
pounds which I have raised for the missions, and
the beneficial effects thereof, form an ample com-
pensation for the labour. The whole was of
God."—

This drudgery of collecting, notwithstanding,
could not but be a great interruption to his studies :
and the consequences of being so much from his
retirement were sometimes visible in his sermons.
It contributed to make his discourses, on the
week days, less rich and pleasing, as well as in-
duced him to preach more frequently from the
same text than otherwise he would have done.
But as he was a man of incessant industry, he
still contrived to employ much time in reading
and writing. Of this we have abundant evidence

LIFE OF DR. COKE. 333

ill the numerous and voluminous publications
with which he favoured the world during the
last quarter of his life. The earliest and largest
of these was his " Commentary on the Holy-
Bible," and on " The New Testament," in six
thick quarto volumes. This work was published
in numbers, and was several years in coming out.
It met with general approbation, and by many
was, and is, much prized. But a few years ago,
and when a great part of the first edition had
been disposed of, a celebrated commentator in-
formed the public, that Dr. Coke's publication,
was in the main a re-print of the commentary of
the unfortunate Dr. Dodd. This tended to lower
the value of it in the estimation of many, and con-
tributed, no doubt, to prevent a second edition,
which Dr. Coke was then meditating. But if
persons had simply attended to the merits of the
work, they would not thus suddenly have fallen
out of love with it. Nay, had they duly consi-
dered and credited all that the public informer
said upon the subject, they must have been con-
firmed in their good opinion of the commentary.
For just before he told them that Dr. Coke's
commentary was in the main a re-print of Dr.
Dodd's, he had given it as his opinion, that Dr.
Dodd's commentary was the best that ever was
published. If so, and if Dr. Coke's was little
more than a new edition, then Dr. Coke's com-
mentary might be allowed to be as good at least
as any that ever was published. But Dr. Coke
said, his was not a mere re-print of Dr. Dodd's,
and as a manifest proof of this, it was much
larger. He did not deny that he had made a large
use of Dr. Dodd's work : but he assigned as one
reason for not acknowledging this in print, that
he had learnt from Dr. JMaclaine, (when he went
to Holland, to apply to the Dutdi government, in

334 LIFE OF DR. COKE.

behalf of religious liberty in the island of St.
Ell statins,) that Dr. Dodd had borrowed a great
part of his commentary from one published by
Dr. Maclaine's father-in-law. We may add to
this, Dr. Coke might justly conceive that it would
t)e no recommendation of his publication, to tell
serious readers, that a great part of that com-
mentary on the holy scriptures, had been written
by a man who was hanged for forgery, June the
^Ith, 1777 ; many could not have relished the
idea of seeking for religious and saving truth in a
book written by a man ignominiously executed
for fraud.

Dr. Coke's commentary is a most valuable
treasury. The Conference purchased the Doctor's
stock in that and all his other publications before
bis departure for India ; and, I suppose in order to
raise the purchase money, the book committee
reduced tlie price, but I can hardly think it will
long continue sq low. The Old Testament, four
large quarto volumes, published at £9- 10^. Od.
are now offered to the public for £6. Qs. Od. and
the commentary on the New Testament, con-
taining between two and three thousand large
quarto pages, sold by the Doctor, in boards, for
£4. 4.S'. Od. will now be sold at £2. 2s. Od. I do
seriously advise my readers, as I have done other
persons, who have not this work, and want a
commentary, to apply for it immediately, espe-
cially that on the New Testament, before it be all
sold off, or the price be greatly advanced.

Dr. Coke, a few years before his death, be-
came a very extensive publisher, I beheve from
the best of motives, but certainly to his own
p-reat pecuniary loss. His publications were so
numerous, and certain circumstances were so un-
toward, the stars in their courses fighting against
him ; his vent was so contracted and unproduo-

LIFE OF DR. COKE. S35

,tive, that his authorship tended only to poverty,
and evidently somewhat sickened him of the
business. To get rid of his stock, he employed
travelling booksellers. But in some instances he
fell into very bad hands. Some got between two
and three hundred pounds worth of his books,
together with an advance of money, who sold
what they could, but never made him any re-
mittances, returned his books, or even favoured
him with any account. Truly, it could be no
wonder that he grew tired of the business, and
that he was willing to sell off his stock at prime-
cost and under.

He published six letters addressed to the
Methodist Societies, in defence of the great doc-
trines of " Justification by Faith, and the Witness
of the Spirit." Tliese letters were occasioned by
an attack made, in tlie year 1809. on the Doctor
and the JMethodist preachers, respecting those
points, by the Rev. Melville Home, of JNIaccles-
field. It was at a time when there was some
noise in the religious, and especially the Method-
istic world, on account of the impeachment and
expulsion of Mr. Joseph Cook, a INIethodist
preacher, for preaching and publishing sentiments
contrary to the sentiments of Mr. Wesley, and
the lyiethodists, on those heads.

And here it may not be improper to remark,
that when the Doctor became such an extensive
author and publisher, it cannot be supposed that
he could do without some help, especially when
his other numerous employments are taken into
the account. Accordingly he engaged in his ser-
vice, JVIr. Samuel Drew, author of tiie " Essay on
the Resurrection of the Body," and the " Essay
on the Immortality of the Soul," and other works.
Mr. Drew had no small share in writing the
letters to Mr. Home. Any competent person.

336 LIFE OF DR. COKK.

who shall examine the style and logic, I think,
may be convinced of this. It was with tlie same
assistance that he began to publish a iiistory of
the bible, intended to have been comprised in
three handsome quarto volumes, and to be com-
prised in about eighty-eight numbers, at one
shilhng, or forty-four, at two shilhngs each. He
published about half a dozen numbers of this ;
but his encouragement was not sufficient to in-
duce him to go on. Neither Mr. Drew's abilities,
nor his own name and titles, could procure a suffi-
cient vent for what he published. Besides sundry
smaller publications, " partly written, and partly
selected by Dr. Coke," he published a new edition
of " The Life of Christ, an heroic poem, in ten
books : originally written by the Rev. Samuel
Wesley, Vicar of Epworth, in Lincolnshire, and
father of the late Rev. and venerable John Wes-
ley, in two volumes."

This poem was first published towards the
close of the seventeenth century, and then passed
through more than one edition. For some time
it attracted considerable notice from such as
were religious ; but after living its day, it retired
into the shades, and was almost forgotten. For
more than a century it remained under the man-
tle- of oblivion. In general, the design of Mr.
Wesley remained unaltered. The contents pre-
ceding each book, and the note subjoined, con-
tinue nearly as they \A'ere. But in the poem
itself, the variations are considerable. But the
book is considerably enlarged. For to remedy
its various defects, and bruig it as near to perfec-
tion as possible, more than two thousand lines are
added in the various parts. Each book has re-
ceived an addition of lines ; several, of some hun-
dreds. There is a passage in the Doctor's preface,
of which I so much feel tlie weight in my present

LIFE OF DR. COKE. 337

undertaking, that I cannot refrain from transcrib-
ing it — says he, " There is perhaps no species of
writing more entertaining than that of biogra-
phical narrative ; but its utiUty must in no small
degree depend upon the character of him who
becomes the subject of historical relation. This
must always form the criterion, when the writer
presents to the world a faithful delineation. An
individual, who has been honoured for probity
and virtue, may become an example to thousands,
who may view him as a pattern worthy of imita-
tion : and his history may diffuse virtues through
various departments of life, to which our calcula-
tions cannot reach."

The above poem, in 2 vols, price 6s. may be
had at the City -Road, London. One of the last
works which bears his name, if I may not call it
tlie very last of all, as it was not all printed off,
nor even all written, as the conclusion shews,
when he embarked for India, is, " A History of
the West Indies, containing the natural, civdl,
and ecclesiastical history of each island : with an
account of the missions instituted in those islands,
from the commencement of their civilization;
but more especially of the missions which have
been established in that archipelago by the society
late in connexion with the Rev. John Wesley."
This work is comprised in three octavo volumes,
upon good paper, handsomely and closely printed,
containing 1,465 pages, price £l. lis. 6d.

He apprises his readers that he shall avail
himself of every extant authority : and expresses
his own ideas in the words of a principal autho-
rity, that of Mr. Bryan Edwards, of whose history
of the West Indies he makes a large use — " I
have endeavoured to collect useful knowledge
wheresoever it lay ; and when I have found books

11, Uu

338 LITE OF DE. COKE.

that supplied what I sought, I have sometimes
been content to adopt, without alteration, what
was tlnis furnished to my hands."

As one principal part of my work was pro-
posed, before its commencement, to be devoted
to accounts of missions, and especially those pro-
moted by Dr. Coke, and along with those mis-
sions, to give some geographical and historical
accounts of those distant regions, where some of
the principal of them have been established, it
appears to me, that this is the most proper stage
of my history of the Doctor, to say what I have
to say of the West Indies.

THE WEST INDIES.

And now, reader, we are going to be amused
and regaled for a while, in one of the most roman-
tic and pleasant regions upon the globe. Such all
who have visited those islands allow the West
Indies to be. But while we may briefly notice
the natural beauties, as well as history of those
insulated paradises, our principal subject must be
religion, and especially as there promoted by Dr.
Coke. And to contemplate the spread of the
everlasting gospel, and its transforming influences
upon the lowest tribes of the descendants of our
general parent Adam, must afford no small por-
tion of the purest pleasure to every genuine
christian. Such a religious pleasure, combined
wath the beauties of natiu'e, now lies before us.
Here we shall find many of the sable sons and
daughters of Ham, shewing forth the praises of
Him who hath called them out of darkness into
marvellous liglit, and who, till lately, never heard
of the Saviour's name. The comforts derived
from religion have softened and even sweetened
slavery itseU*; so that they are not only resigned

LIFE OF DR. COKE. 339

to their state, but even thankilil to that mysterious
and gracious providence, who has thus brought
the greatest good out of the greatest evil. Sup-
ported by a hope full of immortality, and filled
with peace and joy in believing, the poor injured
African endures as seeing him who is invisible,
and glories in tribidation, while he looks forward
to tliat rest w^liich remaineth for the people of God.
And from Abraham's bosom will many of these
see some of their former tyrants and oppressors
in that place where he was who cried, and said,
" Father Abraliam, have mercy on me, and send
Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in
water, and cool my tongue ; for I am tormented
in this ilame." JNIany a slave-holder would be
glad of a similar service from his lately abused
negro, when both are arrived in the world of
spirits. But I am not denoimcing any general
in discriminating vengeance. It is said by some»
that some slave proprietors are good people, and
treat their slaves very mildly and kindly. So far
so good. But I am not prepared to prove how
dealing in slavery can consist with genuine Chris-
tianity : but that, on the contrary, is not our
present business. The question of the slave trade
has been amply discussed by the public, and espe-
cially in the British senate, in our time, and Great
Britain has had the honour of being the first na-
tion upon earth, which has formally and solemnly
renounced the iniquitous truflic. May she never
resume it^ and may all nations follow her example.
The islands which have obtained the name of
tlie West Indies, are considerable in number, and
of very different sizes,- They are situated in an
extensive excavation, apparently scooped out by
the hand of Providence, near to the most southern
part of the northern continent of America.

In the western world, we behold an immense

340 LIIE OF DI?. COKE.

continent, stretching From above the Arctic Circle,
down to 55 degrees of south latitude. This vast
continent is divided into two parts at the Isthmus
of Darien ; in the bosom of which lies that chain
of islands which are denominated the West Indies.
These islands are divided into t^vo classes, called
the AVindward and the Leeward ; and the wind-
ward are again subdivided into other classes, and
are distinguished by the station which they
sustain.

Viewing these islands from north to south,
they appear like so many scattered fragments of a
broken continent. They are bounded on the east
by the Atlantic ocean, with which they are laved ;
on the north, by the northern continent of Ame-
rica ; on the west, by New Spain, and the Isthmus
of Darien ; and on the south, by the northern
shores of the southern continent of America.
Protected on the west by the mountainous Isth-
mus of Darien, which rises in majestic grandeur,
and forms a rampart to the world of w^aters which
lies behinds it ; these islands are shielded from
otherwise inevitable destruction. Thus are they
secured from the encroachments of the Pacific
Ocean, which otherwise, on any sudden convulsion
of nature, would probably have involved them in
utter destruction. By this isthmus, God hath
fixed the bounds of the two great oceans, the
Pacific and the Atlantic ; he hath chained each
with his word, " Hitherto shalt thou come, but
no further, and here shall thy proud waves be
stayed."

The geographical position of this vast ar-
chipelago, which is bounded and protected as just
described, engrosses on the globe a considerable
space. Extending from Trinadad on the south,
to the northern Bahamas, it includes from 10 to
27 degrees of north latitude ; and stretching from

LIFE OF DR. COKE; S41

Barbadoes on the east, to the extremity of Cuba
on tlie west, it fills from 60 to 85 degrees of lon-
gitude west of London.

The territorial dominion belongs to different
European powers, except we allow the independ-
ence of St. Domingo. The chief settlements ap-
pertain to England, and the rest to France,
Spain, Holland, and Denmark. But the frequent
European Avars not only sometimes make these
islands the theatres of devastation, but cause them
occasionally to change their masters. But how
strongly soever the contention for empire may
have been on other occasions, yet in the course
of those wars which too frequently happen be-
tween Great Britain and France, they have
generally in modern times been restored to their
former possessor on the return of peace.

The first discovery of these islands was
made by Christopher Columbus, as before men-
tioned when speaking of the discovery of the
continent of North America.

Situated under the tropic of Cancer, the
climate, soil, and productions of the West India
islands, may be included together in one general
description ; and without entering at present into
any minute examination of any particular island,
we may view the whole in one collective point,
their general character bearing a near resemblance.
The cultivated parts of these islands exhibit a
degree of fertility, to which no country in Europe
bears any proportion ; and of which no European,
accustomed only to the temperate and frigid zones,
can form an adequate conception. It is a region
in which variety and plenty seem to maintain an
equal and undecided contest. And the seas which
encircle and lave these islands, teem with fish of
the most delicious flavour, and that in astonishing
abundance. Both earth and sea conspire to sup-

S42 LIFE OF DR. COKE.

ply the wants of man, by communicating their
productions with amazing variety ; exciting grati-
tude while they heighten wonder, through evi-
dences which strike upon every sense, and more
than demonstrate the unbounded goodness and
infinite power of God.

The diversity of hills and valleys, the elevated
mountains, the number and variety of trees and
shrubs, the shades and cool retreats, which diver-
sify the scene, all contribute to heighten the gran-
deur of the prospect. The mind is almost lost in
contemplating the numerous beauties here afforded
in unrivalled abundance. The larger, or leeward
islands, being thickly peopled, when discovered
by Columbus, with a mild and hospitable race,
presented grounds which were not wholly uncul-
tivated. The winters and summers of these
islands can hardly be described so as to convey
adequate ideas to tlie inhabitants of northern
latitudes.

Were we to follow nature in the di\dsions of
the seasons in these islands, we should find only
two, the dry and the wef. But in imitation of
Kuropean customs, we will reckon them four.

The Spring usually commences in the month
of May. The trees then begin to look more
ereen, and all nature appears more lively and gay.
The periodical rains are then daily expected. The
same effects are produced in these islands by the
periodical rains which regularly fall, as ai-e pro-
duced in Egypt, by the overflowings of the Nile.
In both cases the earth seems threatened with an
inundation, through the waters overspeading her
surface for a moment, which then look like the
approach of another deluge. In Egypt, the
waters rise from the swellings of the river, but in
these islands they descend in torrents from the
skies. These rains generally set in about the mid-

LIFE OF DU. COKE. 345

die of May. But compared with those that fall
ill Autumn, they may be considered as gentle
showers, which only sprinkle the surface of the
soil. They descend chiefly in the middle of the
day, approaching from the southern quarter, and
break up with loud peals of thunder, which ter-
minate the daily scene, disperse the clouds, and
restore the skies to their wonted serenity. These
rains continue for about a fortnight, with little or
no variation ; and when they cease, they leave the
earth clothed with the smile of gratitude, and
renewed in verdure. During this season, the
transitions, through varied degrees of heat and
cold, are very sudden and uncertain. The tliermo-
meter is rarely in one position tlu'ough any mea-
surable distance, but flutters, falters, and hesi-
tates ; varying six or eight degrees in a short time.
At length it determines in favour of superior heat,
and fixes in a medium standard, at about seventy-
five degrees. Meanwhile, vegetation sprouts from
every quarter, and proceeds with inconceivable
rapidity. A change of seasons is evidently visible
at the termination of the vernal rains ; the sudden
transitions are now past, and the weather becomes
fixed and dry. The season becomes tranquil and
salutary ; and the tropical Summer immediately
succeeds. Not a cloud is there to be seen, and the
heat is excessive. A general lassitude is diffused
through all animal nature. V^egetation is over-
powered by heat, and seems to solicit relief Even
the natural shady retreats seem insufficient to
protect animal life against the fierce assaults of the
sun.

To counteract, or at least lessen these incon-
veniences, the sea breeze regularly sets in about
ten o'clock, and continues to blow with great force
and refreshing vigour during the remaining part
of the day ; in the evening it dies away, and the
land breeze supplies its place. The languor and

344 . • LIFE OF DR. COKE.

debility occasioned by the heats, are soon banished
by tlie refresliing sea breeze, and the heat becomes
more tolerable. The sliady retreats are now plea-
sant and delightfid.

In this season of the year, the nights are
uncommonly serene and bright. The stars spangle,
and emit a radiance which is imknown in Europe.
Constellations which are invisible in England,
here display their beauties, and shine through the
summer without being intercepted with a shade.
The magnitude of the stars appears to be enlarged ;
and the planets assume a more resplendent ap-
pearance. The moon makes her appearance with
such resplendent brilliancy, as if it were its native
lustre. By her light the smallest print may be
read without difficulty ; and distant objects may
by clearly seen. By her light the finest lanscapes
in nature are presented to the eye of the admmng
spectator.

Nearly the same weather as just described,
continues with trifling variations, through the
months of June, July, and till about the middle
of August. At the close of August, the sea
breeze becomes irregular, and gradually dies
away. The atmosphere then becomes sultry, and
almost suffocating ; and at this period, the groves
afford little or no protection. A general lassitude
now prevails, which depresses the animal spirits,
and the inhabitants almost in vain seek for relief
The serene brightness now disappears, and the
heat of the sun operates with all its vigour,
without any thing to assuage it. This state con-
tinues witli little variation, till the beginning of
October. This, and the rainy season, which im-
mediately succeeds, is the most sickly portion of
the year.

October setting in, the windows of heaven
appear to be opened, and the days of Noah seem

LIFE OF DR. COKE. 345

to be returned. The skies discharge vast torrents,
and these form floods which threaten to deluge the
earth, in a way which can hardly be conceived by
the inhabitants of Europe. But the quantity of
tliese torrents are providentially suited to the
climate. They retrieve the land from the injuries
of the former months, and greatly contribute to
iertilize the soil. In this also, we see the hand,
the wisdom, power, and goodness of God.

In December, another considerable change
takes place, in the temperature of the air, and the
salubrity of the climate. On the northern shores
of these islands, a heavy and tremendous surf is
driven by a stiff gale, which, blowing from the
northern quarter with some violence, and thence
varying a few points towards the east, continues
to act till it has driven away those noxious effluvia,
which, occasioned by the autumnal calms and suc-
ceeding rains, prove so destructive to the life of
man. Health revives, and the elements regain
their wonted vigour. A succession of mild and
clear weather then takes place, sometimes in
December, but more frequently in January, which
continues till the commencement of JNIay, when
the vernal season again begins. From January to
May, the climate is cool, and the air balsamic ;
and to those accustomed to frigid climates, it is
refreshing and salubrious. The Winter months
form the most delightful season of the year, in the
West Indies. To persons in the decline of life,
the warmth vv^hich this season affords, is suitable
to their wants, without incommoding them with
any annoyances. The season, in all its parts, seems
to suspend the progress of age. The temperature
of the climate mitigates the progress of disease,
and soothes the agitated spirits into tranquillity.
But all the islands are not exactly alike. In these
regions there are occasionally what they call
11. X X

346 LIFE OF DR. COKE.

tornadoes. These are hurricanes, which bear
down all before them, and lay plantations waste.

The advantages which result from the regu-
larity of the winds in those quarters, are obvious
to all who navigate those seas. The inhabitants of
distant regions can anticipate with exactness the
x:ourse of the winds at any season of the year, and
therefore know how to prepare accordingly.

Delightful in themselves beyond description,
after all that an European has read and heard of
their beauties, the scenes which he realizes, upon
his arrival there, far exceed his highest expecta-
tions. He approaches these abodes of wonder with
sensations, which nothing but the real prospect
can excite. There is a resemblance, and yet a dif-
ference, in these islands, both as to animals and
vegetables. In regions of such extent, there
must be variety, while in most things there may
be a similarity. But in order to understand this
matter the better, we must note each island
separately.

It is probable that the natives of the Wind-
w^ard Islands came from some part of South
America. Their language and savage customs
have been found considerably to resemble, espe-
cially as to devouring human flesh : though it
has been confidently asserted that this practice was
not general.

The original natives of the I^eeward Islands
probably came from tlie southern part of North
America; but my narrow limits will not permit
me to enlarge upon such topics. We must pro-
ceed to what more immediately concerns our main
object. For want of room, and because there is
so little in their history tliat concerns) religion, at
least the religion of the bible, I shall almost entire-
ly pass over what concerns those original natives
called Charaibees. As to their ideas of God and a

LIFE OF DR. COKE. 347

future state of rewards and punishments, our in-
formation is but scanty. They considered the earth
as their common bountiful parent, to wliom tliey
were indebted for all the necessaries and comforts
of life. They believed in the existence of a good
and an evil spirit, and that these spirits acted con-
tinually in hostihty towards each other. Of course
they believed that each possessed an efficient
power, and that the earth acted occasionally under
the controul of each. To the good spirit they
ascribed all the blessings which the earth yielded :
and to the evil spirit all the evils which themselves
endured, and all earthquakes, InuTicanes, kc.
They thought that the malignant spirit was tlie
more active in this world, and that the good spirit
would be more active in the world to come.

These two fancied independent Deities, they
imagined acted towards human beings through
the agency of some subordinate beings. These
they considered as messengers, constantly passing
and repassing in their tutelar employment, and as
being so numerous as to preside over every indi-
vidual. And who does not see in these confused
ideas, some perverted and darkened notions, hand-
ed down by tradition of God and the devil, and
the ministry of angels. In honour of these subor-
dinate spirits, they erected clay statues, of im-
perfect and uncertain shape.

On particular occasions they inflicted upon
themselves the most dreadful lacerations and
gashes, with an iron-teethed instrument made for
that purpose. With this instrument they tore the
flesh, and offered a bloody sacriiice. All nations
seem to have had some dark idea of the necessity
of the shedding of blood in order to make an
atonement for sin. It seems that God has sown
in all hearts some conceptions of this, which thus
significantly point to the Lamb slain from the

348 LIFE OF DR. COKE.

foundation of the world, the Lamb of God, which
taketh away the sin of the world.

These benighted Charaibees had some notion
of a future state of rewards and punishments.
This also is a principle which seems to be more or
less implanted in the breasts of all mankind, ex-
cept where it has been eradicated by atheistical
principles. But their notions of futurity were
very obscure and Avhimsical. And they liad no
idea of the resurrection of the body. All their
views of a futiu'e state applied solely to the soid.

How thankful should every one who enjoys
the light of Christianity be, for the glorious light
given them by that dispensation. And a proper
view and feeling of this should prompt them to
come forward, and use their best exertions, that
those who sit in darkness, and in the region of
the shadow of death, may be turned from dark-
ness to light, and from the power of Satan unto
God.

From the preceding survey of the principles
and manners of the natives of the West Indies,
we may see the importance and necessity of com-
plying with our Saviour's directions to his Apos-
tles, " Preach the gospel to every creature."
These Apostles were all what we call mission-
aries ; and indeed the two terms mean precisely the
same thing.

Many missions have been set on foot in dif-
ferent parts of the world. They have too often
failed ; but this has not been occasioned by any
thing in Christianity itself, or even in the people
themselves, but rather by the defects in the
establishment of the institution, or in the conduct-
ing of them.

The church of Rome has shewn a laudable
zeal on many occasions, in sending out mission-
aries to the different quarters of the globe. But

LIFE OF DR COKE. 349

unfortunately more attention has generally been
paid to the converting men to rites and cere-
monies than to the piu'e and undefiled religion of
Jesus Christ This has been one cause of their
disappointments.

Ferdinand and Isabella, King and Queen of
Spain, shewed great zeal in ])romoting foreign
missions, and especially in Hispaniola, or St.
Domingo, Jamaica, and Cuba. To these islands
they sent out several monks to plant and propagate
popish Christianity. This was about the end of
the fifteenth century. Shortly after more mission-
aries were sent, and in 1524, the king granted
two thousand cro^vns to build a monastery for the
Dominicans of Hispaniola : and at the same time
he ordered preachers to be sent to all the West
India islands, as well as to the neighbouring con-
tinent. These missionaries were clothed in plain
serge, to form a contrast to the luxury of those
to whom they were to preach. However they
were otherwise well provided for the expedition.

FRANCIS ZAVIER.

The next mission on record was undertaken
by Francis Zavier, to the East Indies. He was
named Zavier from the name of the Castle in
which he was born, in 1506, and which was called
by the family name of his mother. It was situated
at Navarre, a province of Spain. His genius was
sublime, his lieart fearless, and his manners agree-
able. His parents were pious, and trained up
their son in the doctrine and discipline of Christ.
He made great progress in learning, but had very
little religion, till he became acquainted with
Ignatius Loyala, the founder of the order of the
Jesuits. He then became very pious, meditated
on divine subjects day and night, and determined
to devote his life to the glory of God, in promoting

S50 LIFE OF DR. COKE.

the salvation of men. He soon was admitted into
Holy Orders, and was appointed a missionary to
India, and embarked on the 7th of April, 1541, in
the 36th year of his age. Having arrived at Goa,
he immediately entered upon his labours.

The European conquerors of India are said to
have planted Christianity there. But religion was
in a miserable state when Zavier went thither.
Mahometanism jmd idolatry overspread the whole
country : and there were but four preachers of
Christianity in all that immense region.

Zavier prayed much, and laboured with great
diligence and zeal at Goa, and especially in teach-
ing the principles of rehgion to the children. And
tliis was followed by great and lasting effects.

His public preaching was attended with great
effects upon many of the natives.

He visited the coast of Fishery, between
Cape Cormorin and the Isle of Manor. At first he
preached by an interpreter. He had great suc-
cess, and while he endured many privations, he
had many and great inward consolations. He
baptized hundreds and thousands, who professed
to believe in Christ, and vied with each other
who should demolish the temples of the idols.
Sometimes he preached from a tree in a plain to five
or six thousand people. The idolatrous priests
sought to kill him ; but he trusted in God, and
was delivered.

He next visited the Isles called Del JNIoro,
about sixty leagues to the eastward, the inhabit-
ants of which were in a most deplorable state.
Here he endured great hardships, and enjoyed
miich inward comfort, tliough it does not appear
that he had much success in his labours.

Soon after, he visited .Tapan, all the inhabit-
ants of which he found to be gross idolators.
Having acquired the language of the country, he

LIFE OF DR. COKE. 351

began to publish the gospel. He had great suc-
cess, though there was much opposition, and
especially from the bonzas or priests. A gi-eat
work was wrought in the kingdom of Bungo, and
the king himself became a convert, and lived and
died a christian. In this kingdom thousands were
delivered from the power of darkness, and trans-
lated into the kinodom of Christ.

Having paid a short visit to his friends at Goa,
he embarked for China. But such insuperable hind-
rances succeeded each other, that his design of
introducing the gospel into that vast empire,
proved abortive. Having arrived at the island of
Sancian, within view of China, he was taken ill
of a fever, which ended in death. With his eyes
fixed upwards, he fervently said, " In thee, O Lord, I
have hoped ; I shall never be confounded :" and with
a holy joy, visible upon his countenance, yielded
up his spirit into the hands of God. This was on
the 2d of December, 1552, in the 46th year
of his age, and ten years and a half after his arrival
in India.

One of the first missions undertaken by Pro-
testants, was set on foot by the Swedes in Swedish
Lapland, in 1559. The celebrated Gustavus Vasa
being then King of Sweden, sent a missionary of
the name of Michael to that chilling region.
Considerable success attended his labours: and
about the beginning of the seventeenth century,
churches were built in different parts of that
country. Schools were also erected, to instruct
the youth in the Swedish language, and to qualify
some of them for preaching in their own tongue.
But at present, Christianity is at a low ebb in
Lapland.

1 was here about to insert an account of the
missions established by the Dutch, and especially
in the island of Ceylon. But it strikes me, that

352 LIFE or DR. COKE.

it will be best to defer this, and also the account
of the Danish missions in tlie East Indies, till we
approacli the time that Dr. Coke engaged mission-
aries for India, and that he and they embarked for
Bombay, intending to go from thence to the
Island of Ceylon. I shall now notice,

English Missions in North America.

The despotism of the house of Stuart, both
in church and state, had a principal hand both in
peopling and cliristianizing North America.

When numbers of the pious Puritans fled for
refuge to thethen wilds of America, they endeavour-
ed to instruct the natives in the principles of Chris-
tianity. The first who deserves to called a mis-
sionary is Mr. John Elliot ; who not being allow-
ed to keep a school in England, fled to America,
and became minister of lloxburg, near Boston.
He was born in 1604<, and about 1631, accompanied
some hundreds of Puritans across the Atlantic.
After some time, feeling a desire to prcacii the
gospel to the American Indians, he applied himself
to study their language. Having acquired this,
he went to a place four or five miles from his resi-
dence, and made trial. A company being collect-
ed, he made a short prayer, and then addj-essed
them in the Indian language for more than an
hour, concerning God, the creation of the ^vorld,
the fall of man, the ten commandments, Jesus
Christ, the day of judgment, and heaven and
hell. He repeated his visits, and though the
powaws, or conjurors, raised opposition, he had
soon considerable success : and some of the other
tribes in the neighbourhood requested him to
come over and help them, which he soon did. In
a while he extended his labours to more distant
parts, and made an excursion generally once a fort-
iiifrlit. besides doing the duties of his office at

LllE OF DR. COKE. 353

IloxburgTi. Many in different parts embraced the
gospel of the grace of God, and ^vere added to the
church of Christ.

About the year 16G1, Mr; Elliot translated
tlie bible into the Indian language ; and afterwards
also translated Baxter's Call to the Unconverted,
the Practice of Piety, and wrote some catechisms
and school-books; and especially a grammar of
tlie Indian language.

In 1674, in no fewer than fourteen Indian
towns, thei-e were praying Indians, so called. —
Probai3ly in these there were about eleven hundred
under instruction ; and Mr. Elliot's labours ex-
tended, more or less, to all these places. He died
in the year 1690, in the 86th year of his age. —
Some of his last, words were, " Welcome joy."

There were some others who afterwards ex-
erted themselves in missionary labours in North
America, but as my restricted limits confine me
to a choice and brief collection, I shall only just
name the INlayhews, Mr. Cotton, and Dr. Edwards,
and bring forward

DAVID BPtAINERD.

He was a yoimg man of distinguished piety;
and in April, 1743, he entered upon his missionary
labours among the Indians, under the patronage of
the Scotch Society for propagating Christian
Knowledge, His station was about twenty miles
from Albany, in the province of New York. The
situation was extremely lonely, being in the midst
of a wilderness, surrounded by woods and moun-
tains, and almost twenty miles from the nearest
English inhabitant. Here he lodged with a family
lately come from the Highlands of Scotland,
sleeping on a bundle of straw, and living on tire
12. Y y

$oi LIFE OF DR. COKE.

coarsest fare, while almost the only language he
heard was either Indian or Gaelic, neither of
which he understood. But after some time, he
went and lived in a Imt among the Indians. For
a while, his laboiu'S were partly successful, and
partly the contrary. He directed his few converts
to put themselves under the care of a neighbour-
ing missionary, while he went to see .what
he could do among another tribe of Indians,
at the Forks of Delaware. AVhen he arrived, his
encouragements were but small. However, he
laboured, and prayed for success, and left the
event to God.

After some time, he visited some other
Indians, about 30 miles from the Forks of Dela-
ware ; and having some prospect of success, he
went thither again. In these journies he encoun-
tered almost incredible hardships and clangers.

In May, 1745, he paid a second visit to the
Indians on the river Susquehannah, accompanied
by an inteipreter. On his return from thence, he
was taken very ill, and had like to have died on
the road. But after stopping near a week in an
Indian's hut, with little comfort, he went forward
home.

He now visited a number of Indians, at a
place called Crosweeksung, in New Jersey, about
80 miles from the Forks of Delaware. Here he
met with a people who seemed ready prepared of
the Lord. He spent a fortnight here at this time,
and then returned to the Forks of Delaware ; and
from this time the chief of his labours were divided
between these two places.

His interpreter at tlie Forks of Delaware
becoming a real experimental Christian, it was of
vast advantage to Mr. Brainerd's ministiy. His
sermons now lost hardly any tHing of their ori-
ginal energy. '

LIFE OF DR. COKE. 355

At Crosweeksung, in a little time, there was
a general cry of " What shall I do to be saved?"
Every sermon seemed to produce some good : and
he baptized 25 Indians in one day. In Mr.
Brainerd's journal the reader may find some very
striking accounts of the idolatrous feasts of the
Indians.

Mr. Brainerd repeatedly visited the Indians
on the Susquehannah; but never saw much fruit
of his labours there.

At Crosweeksung he rejoiced in the happy
effects of a preached gospel. He had many pleas-
ing evidences that the congregation there had
received the gospel, not only in word, but in
power, and in the Holy Ghost, and much assu-
rance.

He not only preached but catechised his
people, and saw the blessed effects of it. They
grew, not only in knowledge, but also in experi-
mental religion.

In 1746, a school was opened for instructing
the Indians in reading and writing the English
language. About 30 children entered it, and
made very rapid progress.

After due preparation, he administered the
Lord's Supper to between 20 and 30 of his Indian
converts : and it was a very solemn and refreshing
season.

After struggling with a lingering and painfiil
decay for some time, on the 9th of October, 1747,
he died the death of the riijhteous. And to me it
seems remarkable, that Dr. Coke was bom the
very same day that Mr. Brainerd died. A great
missionary died ; a greater promoter of missions
was born.

Some account of the Danish Missions in
the East Indies would have come in here, but
that, as I have before said, I shall defer this till we

356 LIFE OF DK. COKE. *

come to speak of Dr. Coke's embarking for India.
However, I must mention, tiiat the Danes estab~
lished a mission in Greenland.

In the beginning of the eighteenth century,
IVIr. Hans Egede, a minister in the northern part
of Norway, had a powerful impression upon his
mind to go to Greenland as a missionary, though
he had a wife and four children. After encoun-
tering many difficulties and discouragements, he
embarked, being accompanied by a number of
friends, who went to establish a colony in Green-
land, imder the authority and patronage of the
King of Denmark. They sailed in ISlay, 1721,
and landed in Greenland in July, after escaping
very great dangers. Immediately they proceeded
to build a house. IVIr. Kgede began to learn the
language, which he found to be a very difficult
and tedious matter. iVnd when he became able
to instruct the natives in the principles of Chris-
tianity, he found them very dull of apprehension,
Some other missionaries came to his assistance. —
But the Greenlanders proved a crooked and per-
verse generation, who did not desire theknoAvledge
of God's law. After some time, however, there
was some prospect of good being done, and what
was effected during the mission of Mr. Egede
served to prepare the way for the greater usefuk
ness of the Moravian missionaries, some of wJiom
arrived in Greenland some time before Mr. Egede's
return to Denmark, which happened in 1736. He
was made superintendent of the Greenland mis-
sion, and was useful in promoting its prosperity.
But lie spent the rest of his days in Denmark,
and died on the 5th of November, 1758, aged 73.
Since the year 1812, the Danes have
had no missionaries in Greenland, but the IMora-
vian Brethren h^^ve a numbej* of settlements
fcherc. .

m

IJFE OP DR. COKE. 357

And liere it may be proper to state to tlie
readers, that the author of tliis pubUcation did
intend to "ive a much more full and particular
account of missions in oeneral than he now finds
his prescribed limits will admit. And he had
made preparations on this head, which he now
thmks may perhaps make a separate small volume,
which will be a proper companion or supplement
to the life of Dr. Coke. And the reader may
form some idea from the scanty outlines of mis-
sionary history contained in this book what will
be the contents of the other.

The next missions in order, are those estab-
lished by the church of the Unitas Fratru^vi ;
or. United Brethren; commonly called the
jMor AVIANS. The missions which have been
undertaken by the INIoravians are so munerous,
and sundry of them so replete with circumstances
peculiarly interesting, that volumes might be filled
with the narrative. I have not room to do nmch
more than state the names of their different mis-
sions, with the period of their commencement,
and a few words about the present state of such
as are still continued.

Two circumstances are worthy of notice res-
pecting the missionaries of the United Bretliren.
The first is, that academical learning is not made
a pre-requisite for this office. They take care to
send none but men of piety, of competent natural
parts, well acquainted with the scriptures, and
especially the doctrines of Christianity ; but as to
the knowledge of arts and sciences, and of the
learned languages, it does not appear that they
deem these branches of learning indispensably
necessary to qualify a man for the Christian minis*
try. But when these missionaries are sent among
people whose language they do not understand,
and who do not understand the native language?

358 LIFE OF DR. COKE.

of the missionaries, tliey then diligently apply
themselves to learn the language of the country,
and generally succeed. It should be observed at
the same time, that the Moravians have good
schools at most of their principal settlements in
Europe ; and as most, if not all their missionaries,
go out from thence, it may be presumed, that
they are not illiterate men, nor destitute of a
moderate share of general information. And cer-
tainly nothing less than this is^ highly requisite for
all who engage in foreign missions, and especially
in new ones. And such persons should possess a
love of study, and an aptitude for learning, and
particularly for learning languages, when they are
sent where tlie natives do not understand the
mother tongue of the missionaries.

The second circumstance I allude to is, that
in general they work for their bread while engaged
in the missions : " Me/r own hands minister to
their necessities'' It is true, " God has ordained,
that they who preach the gospel, shall live of the
gospel ;" but though it is a just and divine appoint-
ment, yet before any Christian church is formed,
it can neither be obtained nor expected : no, nor
when only a few poor people constitute the whole
of the congregation, and especially such people
as Indians, negroes, hQ. In such cases, large and
flourishing churches should send the missionaries
what will supply their wants. Doubtless the
Moravians in Europe send pecuniary aid to their
missionaries in foreign countries ; but that they
send all of them what will render it unnecessary
for them to earn any thing by bodily labour, does
not appear, but quite the contrary ; and indeed
when their first missionaries were sent out, the
whole body were so few and so poor, that they
could do but very little for their brethren who
went abroad. Yet tliey cheerfully offered them-

LIFE OF DR. COKE. 3oQ

selves, and went forth without piii-se or scrip, not
having two coats, nor perhaps more than two
shirts. Those who went first to Greenland had
hardly any thing more than the clothes upon
them.

And it may not be amiss to remark, that their
having to live in straitened circumstances, and
especially to provide their o\vn subsistence, most
effectually removes the temptation to wish to get
into the office of a missionary, tliat a man may
eat a piece of bread, and enjoy comparative ease.
The great, pure, unmixed motive alone, can influ-
ence such a person. And here I feel inclined to
drop a hint, to those who send missionaries abroad,
to make the best enquiries, whether all they
send endeavour to spend and be spent in the work
appointed them ; or whether some of them do not
live a life of ease and plenty upon the contribu-
tions of Christians at a distance, without imitating
either the first apostles of Jesus Christ, or the
Moravian missionaries, in ministerial labours.

Another circumstance I cannot avoid men-
tioning. In instructing heathens in the principles
of religion, the Moravians experimentally proved,
that the most effectual metliod to ensure success
is to proclaim Christ Jesus as the Saviour of the
world, the very first thing. One of tlieir histo-
rians says, *' If in preaching to and instructing
the heathen at the beginning, an attempt is made
to imprint other truths upon their minds, before
they have received this great truth, that God was
manifested in the flesh, and that he suffered and
died for us men and for our salvation, they are
either entirely indifferent and inattentive, or they
begin to exercise their speculation upon wliat they
have heard, but their hearts remain empty, and
without any real impression of such truths. On
the other hand, the word of the cross is the power

360 lArt, or DR. COKE.

of God unto salvation to every one that believeth ;
it seizes upon and operates in the heart, and is
productive of the true conversion of it. For
this reason it is a rule with our brethren, that
they never enter into an extensive discussion of
the doctrine of God's being an infinite Spirit, of
the Holy Trinity, &:c. nor do they seek to open
the iniderstanding of the lieathen in these points,
until they believe in Him, *' in whom are hid
all tlie treasures of wisdom and knowledge."

This same writer remarks, " We must con-
fess, that tlie labour of our missionaries amon^
the heathen is no easy employ, but requires much
patience, and must be pursued with prayers and
tears. The power of darkness among them, and
the dominion of Satan, Avhose opposition is soon
perceived by the missionaries, the natiu-al blind-
ness and pride of the savages, their heathenish
prejudice against the truths of the gospel, their
sinful practices, the bad examples of so many who
are called Christians, the seductions laid in their
■way by others, and the unfaithfulness of some
of those who had been touched by the grace of
our Lord, are certainly such letts and hindrances,
that no abiding fruit could spring from the bre-
tliren's labour, if a mightier power than their own
strength, did not support and render their labour
successfuL These and numberless otlier difficul-
ties the brethren struggle with in their undertaking,
and nothing but an unconquerable desire to bring
souls to Jesus, could have Ciu-ried them through
all the difficulties and hardships that they have
had to encounter. Indeed we have reason to
praise and adore the grace of our I^ord, which
has formed a people in the church of the brethren,
wdio, knowing all difficulties, and having no pros-
pect belbre tliem, but to endure extreme heat or
cold, with few or no conveniences of life, and no

LIFE OF DR. COKE. Sol

hopes of gain, have offered themselves unto the
Lord for his service among the heathen."

As to the manner of their appointment to
missionary labours, Mr. Benjamin Latrobe, the
writer above quoted, says, " When a member of
the church of the Brethren has a particular impidse
upon his heart to serve the Lord among the hea-
then, he makes known his desire, (having first
weighed it well before the Lord,) to those who are
appointed to direct the affairs appertaining to the
missions among the heathen. Then, wlien there
is a vacancy or a' new mission begun, the desire
of those who have offered themselves is taken
into consideration, and after examining into the
motives of their desire, and their qualifications
for this important employ, such as are wanted, are
nominated."

In the year 1733, three Moravian missionaries
went to Greenland. But it 'vfas not till after the
lapse of some years, and the endurance of almost
incredible privations and hardships, that they saw
any fruit of their labours, though Mr. Egede, the
Danish missionary, had been labouring some years
there, and afforded his countenance and assistance.
At length the day dawned, and tliey who had sat
in darkness began to see a great light. And it was
here that the Moravians first proved the superior
efficacy of first directing heathens to the Lord
Jesus Christ, before giving them much other
instruction.

The Greenlanders, and especially the women,
J^ecame remarkable good singers of hymns, with
which they joined some wind and stringed instru
m.ents.

In the year 1810, the number of persons
belonging to the Brethren's congregations in
Greenland, amounted to 998 ; at New Hernhuth,
300 ; Lichenfels, 298 ; and at Lichtenau, 400.

12. Z 2

363 LIFE or DR. COKE.

The island of St. Thomas, in the West
Indies, would claim the next notice, only I Avill
leave the account of all the IMoravian missions in
those islands, to come in immediately before those
promoted there by Dr. Coke.

In the back of what was formerly the British
American colonies, now the United States, parti-
cularly behind the provinces of Philadelphia,
New York, Ike. the Brethren have laboured among
the Indians ever since the year 1740 ; and God
has blessed the w^ord preached by them.

In this mission especially, have the Brethren
endured such privations, hardships, and multiplied
and aggravated sorrows, as are scarcely to be
equalled in the records of the church. The lead-
ing particulars of this mission ought to be pro-
claimed as upon the house-top, in the ears of all
the christians upon earth.

The Brethren have at present five settlements
among the Indians in North America : Fairfield
in Canada, Goshen on the IMuskingdum, Spring
Place in the country of the Cherokees, Sandusky,
and one on the river Flint, among the Creek
Indians.

In 1738, two of the Brethren were sent to
begin a mission in South America, at a Dutch
settlement called Rio de Be?'hicc. After encoun-
tering great difficulties, and acquiring some know-
ledge of the language, they had some encouraging
success in different parts of the country. In a
few years they had baptized about 400 persons.

In 1735, three of the Brethren were sent to
Surinam, to try to introduce the gospel among
the Pagan inhabitants there. After encountering
many difficulties, this mission assumed a more
promising aspect. But to this day the success of
the missions of the Brethren in South America
lias been but small.

LIFE OF DR, COKE. 363

In the year 1759, with the consent of the
court of Denmark, and the Asiatic Company at
Copenhagen, a colony of Brethren went to Tran-
quebar, in the East Indies, m the neighbourhood
of which they formed a settlement, with a view
to establish a mission on the coast of Coromandel,
and especially to establish a settlement on the
Nicobar islands. And after ahiiost despairing of
this, in 1768 they established a small colony in
those islands. But this mission was afterwards
abandoned.

The Brethren tried the island of Ceylon also,
but with very little success. And the same re-
mark will serve respecting to Persia.

The Empress of Russia having granted the
Bretlu-en some land in the kingdom of Astracan,
on the banks of the Wolga, a colony was estab-
lished there, and the heathen on the borders of
that country shewed them great respect. But
hardly any good was done, till the Brethren became
acquainted with the German colonists on the
Wolga, when societies were formed, and ministers
appointed.

Missionaries were sent by the Brethren into
Africa also. In 1767, five missionaries were sent
to the coast of Guinea. But their labours were
rendered abortive through the savage manners
and extreme depravity of the natives. In short,
though they had much success in some places, and
a little in others, they have had too much reason
to say, " All day long we have stretched forth
our hands unto a disobedient and gainsaying
people."

The poor Hottentots at the Cape of Good
Hope also attracted the notice of the Brethren.
But circumstances prevented the mission from
being continued; but in 1792 three missionaries
were sent to renew the misi^ion, and not without
success.

364 LirE OF DR. COKE.

The Brethren resolved to attempt the conver-
sion of the Copts in Egypt and Abyssinia ; and
three missionaries went to reside at Grand
Cairo for the purpose. But my materials do not
inform me what success followed.

In 1740, one of the Brethren went to Algiers,
where he, while preaching to the slaves sick of
the plague, caught tliat disorder, and died. Ano-
ther preached to and served the slaves there from
the year 1744 to 1748.

In the year 1752, the Brethren sent four mis-
sionaries to the coast of Labrador, but could effect
nothing. But in the year 1764, a Brother who
had been in Greenland, and had learned the Green-
landish language, being continually impelled in
his own mind to go among the Esquimaux, went
to that country. It Avas a great joy to him, and
a surprize to them, that they could understand
each other. And it was thus discovered, that the
Esquimaux and the Greenlanders were originally
the same nation.

In ]May, 1770, three Brethren sailed on a
mission to Labrador, and were favourably received
by the inhabitants. The Brethren preached to
them both in small and large companies, and pro-
ceeded to form a settlement among them.

As I have already exceeded the intended
number of pages for the mention of missions in
general, 1 shall not enlarge upon those of the
Moravians any further, except when we treat of
the West Indies. AVhat I liave said on this
point may serve to give a sufficient idea of the
whole.

In 1794, a society was formed in London,
upon a very large scale, by the different denomi-
nations of I*rotestant Dissenters, and called the
London Missionary Society. Some of the more
pious and evangelical clergy of the Established

LIFE OF DR. COKE. 305

Church also patronized and encouraged this insti-
tution : and so did many of the ministers of the
Church of Scotland. The society engaged a
number of persons to go as missionaries to certain
islands in the Great South Sea ; and having bought
a ship, and engaged a proper captain, the mission
sailed. Great were the expectations as to its suc-
cess : but owing to the civil wars, which have so
frequently occurred since their landing, the object
of the mission has been greatly retarded. How-
ever recent accounts from that quarter are very
promising, the King of Eimeo has embraced the
Christian religion, and several of the chiefs have
followed his example ; by the last accounts the
du'ectors are informed, that, " the good work of
conversion appeared to be going forward ; and that
the number of those who had renoimced their
idols, and desired to be considered as the worship-
pers of Jehovah, amounted to fifty. They report
that these persons are in general regular in their
attendance on the means of instruction ; that they
are in the habit of retirement for secret prayer ;
that many of them pray in their families, and ask
a blessing on their food ; that they carefully ob-
serve the Sabbath, associate to hold meetings for
prayer, and that their moral conduct is greatly
improved. Some of them appear to have expe-
rienced an inward change, evinced by their loving
what once they hated, and hating the evil ways
which once they loved ; that they are desirous of
having their sins pardanedy and their hearts
renexi'ed; and that they seem to he sensible of the
need of divine influence to effect this. They add.
that in consequence of this profession, their neigh-
bours deride them, and distinguish them by the
name of Buree Atua — * the praying people.' In
this pleasing intelligence every member of the
society will doubtless rejoice, and gi^'e glory to

266 LIFE OF DR. COKE.

God. Hereafter, let no missionary, in any age or
country, however long his patience may be tried,
despair of final success."

This society have also extended their labours
to Africa, where they have met with considerable
encouragement.

In 1792, the Baptists sent some missionaries
to the East Indies, who fixed themselves in Cal-
cutta and its neighbourhood. This mission pro-
mises to be of infinite importance and utility to
that part of the globe, and especially in promoting
the translation and spread of the holy scriptures,
in the various languages of the East in general,
and of India in particular.

Provoked to jealousy, and roused into action
by surrounding examples, sundry of the best of
the clergy of the Established Church, a few years
ago, associated and formed a church missionary
society. They have sent out missionaries to
Africa, New Zealand, and the East Indies, and
some of their missions already furnish them with
causes of rejoicing ; and it is to be hoped, that
tlie good done by them will be still more
abundant.

In returning to my leading subject, I think
it but right to say, that there is reason to believe,
that the previous example of the missions carried
on by the Methodists, had had no small share in
prompting the formation of these other societies,
and especially the London Missionary Society. —
And as Dr. Coke was the chief instrument in pro-
moting the Methodist missions, before and at the
time these others were set on foot, we see something
of his usefulness in these institutions, though in
a more remote and indirect way. But the forma-
tion of the London IMissionary Society, especially,
was a great loss to the Methodist [missions, as to
pecuniary aid. To their honour be it spoken, the

LIFE OF DR. COKE. 367

Dissenters were almost the best, if not the very-
best contributors to the missions of the Methodists,
before they had missions of their own. Wliile
the Doctor " for years stooped to the very drud-
gery o£ charity, and gratuitously pleaded the
cause of a perishing world from door to door," he
found many of the Dissenters to be the most libe-
ral givers. The writer of these pages has heard
him with gratitude make this acknowledgment,
which is here recorded with pleasure. And after
such an excursion in company with so many mis-
sionaries, and over so many missionary grounds,
I return refreshed, notwithstanding the labour,
to the

West Indies and Dr. Coke.

I have already given a general introductory
description of the West Indies, we shall now
proceed to speak of tlie different islands separately,
at least such in which Dr. Coke was instrumental
in promoting missions. We will begin with

Ja:maica.

This island is situated in the Atlantic Ocean,
about 4000 miles S. W. of England. St. Domingo
lies about 50 miles to the East, and Cuba is about
37 to the North. It is 120 miles long, and 42
at its greatest breadth. It is of the oval form,
and becomes narrower from the middle, till it ter-
minates in two points at the extremities of the
island. A large ridge of hills runs nearly from E.
to W- from sea to sea. Abundance of rivers take
their rise in these hills, and flow from both sides in
gentle streams, and refresh the vallies as they
glide along. They are well stored with various
sorts of fish, not known in Europe. The moun-

368 LIFE or DR. COKE.

tains are covered with woods, which look greeit
all the year. The dajvS and nights are nearly-
equal the year round. Not above one half of the
island is cultivated, and most of the plantations
are near the sea. The houses in general are but
one story high, on account of the hurricanes and
.earthquakes. The common drink is JVIadeira
.-^vine, or rum punch. Hogs are plentiful, and
their lamb and mutton pretty good ; but servants
generally feed upon Irish salt beef, and the negroes
have salt fish and herrings. The cuil-ent coin is
chiefly Spanish money. The chief produce of
the island is sugar, rum, ginger, cotton, indigo^
chocolate, pimento, dying woods, and medical
drugs, They have no sort of European grain,
but they have Indian corn, Guinea corn, various
roots, and peas of different sorts, but none like
burs. Fruits are in great pleiity, such as oranges,
lemons, pine apples, star apples, kc. ke.

Jamaica is divided into three counties, Mid-
dlesex, Surrey, and Cornwall, containing six
towns and twenty-seven villages. The legislature
consists of a governor appointed by the king, a
council, and a house of assembly. In 1787, the
number of negroes amounted to about 250,000,
the whites to 30,000, and the Maroons, who
have since been transported to Nova Scotia, to
1,400.

Columbus discovered Jamaica on his second
voyage, 1494, but made no settlement at that
time. But some time after a Spanish settlement
in this island, the Spaniards began to be guilty
of great and long-continued cruelties.

I pass over a long period of but little interest,
and remark, that under the protectorate of Oliver
Cromwell, his Admirals Penn and Venables
attacked Jamaica, and annexed it to the British
empire. Yet so little was this thought of at that

LIFE OF DR COKE. S69

time, tliat both Penn and Venables, upon their
return home, were committed to the Tov/er ; not
indeed for taking Jamaica, but because they
had not taken St. Domingo, which they were
sent out to do.

Jamaica was but in a forlorn condition when
it came into the possession of the EngUsh. Cul-
tivation was confined to a small part of it; and
cattle, which were grown wild, inhabited all the
rest. Most of the island abounded with horned
cattle and horses, which wandered at large over
the extensive plains, without controul or owners ;
and the whole vegetable kingdom was in the state
of rude uncultivated nature, with little ex-
ception.

The ecclesiastical, as well as monarchical part
of the government of England, being subverted,
at the time of the conquest of Jamaica, and Pres-
by terianism being then vippermost, Cromwell sent
over seven Presbyterian ministers, for the religious
establishment of the island ; and in this way the
Enghsh settlers remained till the restoration. —
Episcopacy was then introduced, and Jamaica
was put imder the jurisdiction of the Bishop of
London. But King Charles ordered the governor
of the island to allow all denominations a free
toleration, which has, with some exceptions, been
acted upon ever since : Under the protection of
this, in the year 1 754, some gentlemen of considera-
able possessions in Jamaica, being much concerned
for the salvation of the souls of their poor negroes,
desired the Moravians to establish a mission in
that island, which was done ; and these gentlemen
contributed liberally to its support. And this
was the only instance in which they had such
encouragement in the beginning. Fruit quickly
appeared; afterwai'ds it seemed to wither, and

12. 3 A

370 LIFE OF DK; COKE.

then revived again. Yet upon the whole, their
success in this iskmd has not been so great as in
many other places.

In January, 1789, "vvhen Dr. Coke was on
his way to visit tlie United States of America
for the third time, he took the West Indies in his;
way, and on the 19th of that month, landed at
Port Royal, in Jamaica. Some years before this,
Methodist societies had been formed in several
others of the West India islands. But the mis-
sionaries had been so few in number, that they
were unable to extend the work as it has been
since. A more enlarged plan was now determined
upon. An ina'ease of missionaries was become
necessary in all the islands where missions were
established. Dr. Coke so stated the matter, that
Mr. Wesley entered heartily into the undertaking,
and engaged fhe whole body of preachers to unite
in promoting it.

When Dr. Coke paid this visit to Jamaica,
the form of godliness was scarcely visible in that
island; and its power, except in a few solitary
instances, was totally unknown. The exertions
of the Moravian Brethren were quite inadequate
to the field which lay before them. Iniquity pre-
vailed and abounded in all its forms ; and whites
and blacks were living without hope, and without
God in the world. The Doctor made but a short
stay at this time in Jamaica ; but he preached four
times in a gentleman's house in Kingston, to small
but increasing congregations.

On the 5th of Januaiy, 1791, he again
visited Jamaica, when, under the divine blessing,
he opened a door for the gospel in JNIontego Bay.
He had no previous intention of making the trial,
but being imable to get his boxes out of the ship
for some days, and always being " about his Fa-
ther's business," he with difficulty procin*ed a

LIFE OF DR. COKE. 371

commodious place to preach in ; lie preached several
evenings to large and increasing congregations.

During the following year, the Methodist
Chapel hi Kingston was completed, being 80 feet
long, 40 broad, galleiied on three sides, and capa-
ble of containing 1500 people.

In the year 1792, the Doctor again visited
Jamaica. Between this and the last visit before,
Mr. Hammett 4iad been appointed missionary to
tliis island. His labours had chiefly been confined
to Kingston, thougli not entirely, for he had gone
wherever a door opened. His preaching had
benefited and offended many. There were many
adversaries ; and the chapel before mentioned was
erected in the midst of danger and surrounding-
storms. The prosecutors gave full evidence that
they loved darkness rather than light, because their
deeds were evil -, and some instances of their wick-
edness and brutality were too disgusting to be men-
tioned. Mr. Hammett was involved in great
difficulty and danger. To flee from persecution
was to flee from duty, as well as to abandon the
chapel ; to go on in the usual course was to hazard
his life; and to apply for justice, would only add
insult to wrong. Mr. Hammet repaired from
preaching after it was dark ; but this did not pre-
vent the mob from making a violent assault upon
the chapel near midnight. They were, however,
dispersed, and the magistrates reluctantly afforded
some protection.

While the Doctor was in Jamaica at this
time, he tried an experiment upon a poor negro,
who Avas blind, and declared incurable by two
physicians. He got his hair shaved off the crown
of his head, to about the size of a crown piece, or
rather more ; and applied a poultice of the yolk
(only) of an egg, beat up with salt, to a proper
consistence to the shaved part. On the second

372 LIFE OF DR. COKE.

day after, another such poultice was applied over
the first : and on the third day, a third poultice
was made as before, and applied over the other
two. On the fourth day the whole was taken off,
and the part dressed after the manner of a blister.
And in a few pays the negro recovered his sight.
As tliis was not the only instance in which
the Doctor recommended this remedy with success,
and may afford an useful hint to some person, I
thought it right to mention it.

The Doctor also mentions the following inter-
esting circumstance : — JMr. Hammett had two or
three interviews with a young African prince,
a son of the King of ISIundingo. This was
the second time he had come to the West
Indies, to seek for his sister, who, many years
before, had been stolen, and sold for a slave. To
their mutual surprize and joy, he found her in
Kingston, a member of the INIethodist society,
and married to a free black, a class-leader and
exhorter. The prince promised Mr. Hammett
that he would send two slaves from home, as the
pinxhase of his sister, that she might return to
her native country, and bring her husband along
with her. The return of this couple to Africa
may possibly be a means of introducing some
knowledge of the gospel in those almost unknown
regions of the globe. And should nothing more
be effected at present, it may tend in some mea-
sure to prepare the way for a future mission in
that neighbourhood.

Before his return home from 'his fifth voyage
to the continent of America, he made his last
visit to Jamaica, landing at Port Royal in INIarch,
1793. A malignant fever had put a period to the
life of Mr. Werrill, who was succeeded by Mr.
Fish, who spent many years in the West Indies,
with great approbation and usefulness. He has

LIFE OF DR. COKE. d7S

now been for some years in England ; but tlie
INIethodists in Jamaica much wished for him to
return to them, especially as he was so much rc.*--
pected by the public, whicli circumstance mij^lit
be of singular service in their present embarrassing
and persecuted circumstances.

When Mr. Fish arrived in Jamaica, the
number in society amounted to about 170, includ-
ing those on three or four plantations in the moun-
tains. The violence of the persecution had some-
what abated ; but no attempt had been made to
renew the preaching by candle-light; and the
society rather enjoyed peace than prosperity. Mr.
Fish having no colleague, was so full of employ-
ment, that he was necessitated to abandon Mon-
tego Bay. The gospel now made a rapid progress
among the people of colour ; but the white inha-
bitants were inattentive to its charms.

Mr. Fish enjoyed peace; his labours were
much . blessed to many ; a considerable number
was added to the society, while many others were
so far humanized and civilized, that from barba-
rians they were transformed into men. The ma-
gistrates took against the rioters, and

*

" Returning- justice lifted aloft her scale."

The following comparative estimates will
shew the success of Mr. Fish's labours. When
he arrived in 1792, we have stated that the whole
of the societies amounted to only 170 members;
but in July, 1794, the number amounted to 280.

It is a necessary observation, which will apply
to the other West India islands, as well as Ja-
maica, that in general, the regular congi'egations
are five or six times as large as the societies ; and
much more in several of the islands. In many of
the societies, there are several local preachers and
exhorters, who are employed on the sabbath.s. —

374 LIFE OF DR. COKE.

And in all tlie societies there are class-leaders, who
generally have each a class of from twelve to
twenty members. These class-leaders also hold
prayer-meetings in dwelling-houses in the towns
and villages.

On the 6th of June, 1795, about two o'clock
in the afternoon, a dreadful fire broke out, near
the centre of the town of JVIontego Bay. How it
originated was never clearly ascertained ; but it
raged with the most violent fury. In five hours
a great part of the town was in ashes. The damage
was very great ; and the disorder and confusion
beyond description. But it is a fact, which none
can disprove or deny, that not a single house
belonging to a member of the INIethodist society
was injured, though the flames occasionally came
near them. An infidel may ascribe this to chance ;
but a christian will see, acknowledge, and adore
the hand of Ciod. A pious young woman had
removed out of the part that was destroyed, only
a few days before, somewhat in the way that Lot
lied out of Sodom, before fh-e descended from the
I^ord out of heaven, only with this difference, he
had notice, but she had none. Had this not been
the case, her property must have met inevitable
destruction, except it had been protected by the
same power which preserved the three Hebrews
in the burning fiery furnace.

In the height of the confusion occasioned
by the conflagration, a person, called a gentleman*
was swearing most horribly, when a pious negro,
who heard him, said to him, " Ah massa, no use
curse and swear now; cursing and swearing do
all this."

This calamity was followed by another still
more destructive, the jNIaroon war. The haunts
of these people were at no gi-eat distance from
Montego Bay. Neither night nor day could pro-

LIFE OF DR. COKE. 375

mise safety. The restless activity of the savages,
armed with fire and sword, created the greatest
dangers and devastations. These disasters so absorbed
the attention of the people, that they neglected
to attend upon the preaching ; so that Mr. Fish,
who had been labouring near a year among them,
returned to Kingston. Another missionary had
succeeded Mr. Fish, when he removed to Montego
Bay. Religion flourished at Kingston, and both
the congregation and society increased.

In May, 1795, the missionary at Kingston
informed Dr. Coke by letter, that he had intro-
duced evening preaching on Thursdays ; and that
instead of 20 or 30 hearers, whom they used to
have on Sundays, at four o'clock in the afternoon,
they had 8 or 900 hearers. Many merchants and
principal inhabitants attended, and all was quiet-
neSsS and attention. Soon after he wrote again,
and told the Doctor, that the chapel was pretty
well filled, with quiet and attentive hearers; that
the singing-meetings were prudently and piously
conducted, and were edifying and a great blessing
to many ; and that their temporal comforts were
increasing.

In the district of Kingston, the gospel was
not at this period confined to the towns. Some
of the plantations readily received the mission-
aries: the proprietors were friendly, and the
negroes attentive.

The year following there were several open-
ings, and encouraging prospects, in parts at a con-
siderable dista^e from Kingston, and the prospects
at Port Royal continued to brighten.

In May, 1797, the missionary wrote to Dr.
Coke in the follo\vdng words :
" Dear Sir,

" You would rejoice to see the openings we
have in this extensive island. We preach at Spring

375 LIFE OF DK. COKE.

Garden, on the northern side of the island, and
have about 50 in society. At Petersfield, on the
eastern side, we liave many more. Both these
sugar estates belong to the Honourable Henry
Shirley. He has two other estates in Trelawy ;
and the last time he was in town, (Kingston,) he
desired me to write to you for a minister for them.
He will build a chapel, a house for the minister,
and will give between £140 and £150 salary. —
Our leaders go out to teach in several places ; but
having families, they camiot go far. When I first
came here, we had five leaders ; but, blessed be
God, we have now twenty, and work enough for
them all."

All the accounts proved that more missionaries
were wanted ; and in 1798, three more were
sent.

It is an old scheme of unprincipled persecu-
tors, falsely and maliciously to accuse the zealously
pious of being enemies to the civil government.
This was done in Jamaica : but the slander was
triumphantly refuted.

In 1801, the number of members in society
amounted, in the whole island, nearly to 600;
many of whom were filled with peace and joy in
believing, while the rest were seeking the king-
dom of God, and his righteousness. The whole
of the regular congregations would amount to be-
tween thirty and forty thousand. There were
nine local preachers or exhorters, all of whom were
either blacks or persons of colom*. They were
men of piety, and displayed no mean share of
mental faculty.

In 1802, preaching was begun at Morant Bay,
and soon after a society of thirty persons was formed,
which soon increased to ninety. The congrega-
tions kept increasing, and the prospect was cheer-
ing. Persecution attended them as usual in such

1.1FE OF DR. COKE. 377

^ses ; but God protected his servants, and pros-
pered his work.

Apphcations were made for Ucences for the
houses in which the meetings were held ; but the
magistrates refused; and at the quarter-sessions
these houses were represented as nuisances, and a
prosecution was commenced. But as nothing
could be brought against them, that would stand
examination, it was reluctantly dropped.

In this way of progressive prosperity, the
mission went on till December, 1802, when an
act, evidently subversive of the Toleration Act
of England, passed the legislative assembly of
Jamaica. The dreadful effects of this law on reli-
gion are almost beyond calculation. Not only
the Methodist missionaries, but many pious and
useful preachers of different denominations, pain-
fully experienced its pernicious influence. JMr.
Reed, the Scotch missionary, Mr. Sweigle, the
T^aptist minister, and all tiie local preachers and
exhorters in the island, were instantly silenced.

The preamble to this infamous law insinuated
that some ill-disposed, illiterate, and ignorant en-
thusiasts, by preaching, &c. endangered the peace
and safety of the island. But the charges were
unjust, and therefore they could not prove them,
nor indeed can I say that they made any serious
attempt to prove them.

The law, however, was soon put in force. —
Mr. Williams, a free man of colour, of Morant
Bay, assembled with about twenty other persons,
and sung and pfayed, but without preaching or
teaching. Information was lodged against Mr.
Williams, and he was apprehended, and taken
before five magistrates. He having been declared
guilty of a sort of singing and praying, which the
magistrates declai'ed to be the same as preaching,
12! 3B

378 LIFE OF DR. COKE.

he was sentenced to one month's hard-labour in
the work-house. He was closely confined in a
room paved with brick, and exceedingly damp. —
But he was patient and even joyful in this tribu-
lation. Though subject to rheumatic pains, he
sustained no bodily injury. The society remained
stedfast and immoveable, as well as peaceable and
exeiTfipl-ary.

Mr. David Campbell, a Methodist missionary,
succeeded ]\fr. Williams in his place of confine-
ment. The same magistrates having pronounced
him guilty of the same offence, they doomed him
to suffer the same punislunent. The first time tliat
he attempted to preach, after the enacting the
new law, he was apprehended, but discharged.
However, after some time, he was apprehended
again. He produced his licence; but the magis-
trates declared it insufhcient, and committed him
to prison. The case was tried before the supreme
court of judicature ; but though the chief justice
thought IMr. Cmupbell's licence sufficient, the
other judg'es declared the contrary. Having spent
his appointed time in the house of correction, he
was released, but to remain in silence, or commit
new crimes, as he should choose.

Mr. Fish and Mr. Campbell got each a
licence, and went to Morant Bay, at the time of
the quarter-sessions. They presented a petition
to the magistrates, praying for a licence for a house
in that place, in which they had been accustomed
to meet. The court read the petition, and the
chairman returned it, saying, "^he magistrates
are vmanimously resolved to grant no licences."

The persecutors went still further. The ma-
gistrates issued a warrant to apprehend Daniel
Campbell and John AVilliams, and to lay them
under the penalty of £100, which, according to
the new law, and their interpretation of it, they

LIFE OF DR. COKE. 379

liad incarred, as occupiers and possessors of the
meeting-house, at the time of their being prose-
cuted for preaching. A constable was repeat-
edly sent to Kingston, 31 miles, to take Mr.
Campbell into custody; but he always escaped
capture. But learning they were resolved to have
the £100 if they caught him, and to requu'e such
securities as he could not give, to avoid perpetual
imprisonment, he embarked for England, and
arrived in London in November, 1803.

INIr. Fish was now in an arduous situation.
Mr. Campbell being gone, and the local preachers
being silenced, he liad to labour alone. It is true,
his labours were confined to Kingston, because
the new law forbade liim as a missionary to go to
any other place. But still his labours were great.
No interruption was offered in Kingston ; the con-
gregations continued large, and the society gra-
dually increased. Towards the close of the year
1803, Mr. Fish stated the number and condition
of the society as follows : " The number of the
society in Kingston (the only society of which it
is possible for me to make any regular return) was
at the September visitation 530 ; of whom there
were 14 whites, 98 browns, and 418 blacks: of
these 482 were baptized, and the remaining 48
were catechumens. Those of free condition were
246, and those that were enslaved 284, The
number of the men was 201, and of women 329.

The permanency of the new restrictive and
persecuting law, depended upon the royal assent.
To ratify or nullify colonial laws, is a branch of
the royal prerogative. Without the sanction of
the king those laws cannot be permanent. And
when this statute was laid before the king, he
disapproved and disavowed it, determined that his
subjects in Jamaica should enjoy the same religious
liberty as those in England. The rights of con-

380 LIFE OF Dl!. COKE.

science were restored, and the sheep, which for
two years liad been deprived of the benefits of the
labours of their s^iepherds, again could assemble
to hear of the unsearchable riches of Christ, and
partake of all the ordinances of the house of the
Lord.

The missionaries were now invited to many
places from which they had been before expelled ;
Montego Bay sliewed a wish for that gospel of which
they had before made light ; and I\lorant Bay was
no longer forbidden ground. Mr. Bradnock was
now stationed as a missionary in Jamaica; and as
soon as liberty was restored, he repaired to Morant
Bay. Here he found a people who had held fast
the beginning of their confidence, with great stead-
fastness. The chapel, which had been begun before
the prohibitory law, he exerted himself to complete.
In twelve months from his arrival at Kingston, the
Society there had increased nearly two hundred
members, and the work deepened as well as widened.

Mr. Bradnock endeavoured to establish preach-
ing in towns and plantations, at son'ie distance.
He visited the parish of St. IMary's, about twenty
six miles from Kingston, on the northern side.
He was kindly received by a few wlio had before
repaired to the towns to hear tiie gospel. After
})reaching to them and their neighboin-s during the
five days of his stay, he went twelve miles further,
to an estate he had been solicited to visit. Here
he preached first to about fifty negroes, many of
whom were much affected by the word. IS^ext
day, nearly 100 attended, and tlie sermon was
attended with still more powerful effects. JNIany
were awakened, and fell to the jiTound in tlie
utmost distress, and after " roaring aloud for the
disquietness of their souls," were enabled to
rejoice in God their Savioin*.

From hence he proceeded about ten miles

LIFE OF DR. COKE. S81

further, to the parish of St. Andrew's, and found
an asyknn in the house of a lady, whose heart had
been so influenced by the grace of God, that she
would have thought it an honour to wash the feet
of the disciples of Jesus. Here he preached to a
few serious hearers, and then went about three
miles further, where the v/ord sunk deep into the
hearts of the congregation, some of whom had
followed him nearly twelve miles, to hear again
those truths which he had delivered to them in the
parish of St. Mary.

After a short interval, Mr. Bradnock advanc-
ed to Manchioneal, about 70 miles from Kingston,
and was respectfully received. Preaching had
been attempted here on some former occasions, but
with little or no success. There was no public
worship within 30 miles of this place. Mr. Brad-
nock had but few hearers; however he formed a
Society of six persons, and returned to Kingston.
In this town the word of God ran and was glo-
rified. Mr. Gilgrass had laboured with great
diligence and success during Mr. Bradnock's
excursion.

April the 26th, 1806, Mr. Bradnock informed
Dr. Coke, that his prospects of the rising genera-
tion far exceeded his former expectation ; that the
number in society at Morant Bay consisted of 2
whites, and 95 coloured and black people, 43 of
whom had been joined since the preceding De-
cember ; that at Irish-town they had 38 : in St.
Mary's 34 : and in St. Andrew's 13 ; at Manchio-
neal 6 ; and in Kingston 22 whites, and 622
coloured and black people : making in all 904. —
This was an increase of full 300 during the pre-
ceding twelve months.

Towards the end of the sanie year, ISIr. Gil*
grass informed the Doctor, that the society in
Kingston was the most devoted ; and that many

382 LIFE OF DR. COKE.

were enabled to rejoice in God their Saviour, and
that their hearts were warm with divine love ; that
many young persons had lately joined the society,
who were in earnest, and promised fair for the
kingdom of heaven ; and that the congregation
increased greatly with both Vv^liites and coloured
people of respectability, who gave great attention.

In January, 1807, the missionary said, that
at Morant Bay he had joined 50 members diu'ing
the last quarter ; and that there were many places
to which he had not been able to attend for want
of another preacher ; and that they were in v/ant
of money to build chapels. He added, " The
blessed work of God not only spreads wider, but
it sinks deeper into the hearts of our people. We
are constantly comforted with the enlivening de-
claration of those who are born of the Spirit, and
made heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ.
Our whole number now, in town and country, ex-
ceeds one thousand ; so that, during tlie last two
years, an addition of more than five hundred
members has been made ; besides many who are
gone to glory, praising God for sending his minis-
ters among them to preach the Gi^eat IVord^ and
tell them of Jesus Christ."

In February, the same year, ]\Ir. Gilgrass
informed Dr. Coke, that in every quarter, and on
every hand, the people were crying, " Come over
and preach to us ;" that not less than eight or ten
places were then wanting the gospel; but that
they could not have it, JNIr. Bradnock, he said,
was laid up, and had been nearly so for some
months past ; and was dying a martyr for the gosr
pel and precious souls.

In Jamaica there are many Jews, who cannot
be expected to be friends to the gospel of Jesus
Christ. But many of their slaves frequently
attended the preaching, and several were convinced

LIFE OF DR. COKE. S83

of sin, and converted to God, This so exasper-
ated those unbelie\ang children of Abraham, that
they threatened to flog and imprison the slaves if
they did not desist from attending the preaching ;
which threatening was too frequently put in exe-
cution. One of these Jews sentenced a woman to
receive 39 lashes, except she would desist from
going to the chapel. She replied, " Massa, me
must pray." He then gave her nine very severe
strokes, till the blood ran in streams from her
back. A gentleman, pitying her situation, in-
quired into the nature of her offence, and learning
it was only for worshipping God, interposed, and
instantly released her. A young black man, on
the very day he was baptized, received thirty-
nine lashes on account of his piety. Some, yea,
many Jews, did afterwards frequently attend the
preaching, and gave great attention ; but that any
of them became christians is more than I know.

Many leading persons in lungston, irritated
by the prosperity of the missions, resolved, if
possible, to stop their progress. Private opposi-
tion being insufficient to accomplish their design,
it was determined to make a law for the purpose.
While preparing to preach and administer the
sacrament at a distance in the country, Mr. Brad-
nock was hastily sent for by his friends to hasten
to Kingston. A law was in contemplation to

Erevent all religious meetings from being begurt
efore sun-rise, or continued after sun-set. This
was purposely framed in order to put an end to all
meetings, except on Sundays : for all their meet-
ings began at five in the morning and seven in
the evening, and were therefore within the pro-
hibited hours. The business was put off till the
following week : in the mean-time they took a man
into custody for praying too loudly in his own
house. It had been reported^ by tliose who wished

384i LIFE OF BR. COKE.

to have the law enacted, that the meetings of the
slaves and others were held at unseasonable hours ;
that people could not pass through the streets
without being annoyed with singing and praying ;
that they were at it all night ; that the orderly
inhabitants could not rest in their beds without
Jbeing disturbed ; and that there was nothing but
singing and praying through all Kingston. The
last of these charges, at least, was notoriously
false, as the abinidance of rioting and drunken-
ness, chambering and wantonness, together with
dancing, billiards, and theatrical amusements, too
fully proved. But no one molested persons of
these descriptions; their houses of assembly were
not required to be kept shut till after sun-rise, or
to be closed with the setting sun.

On the 15th of June, 1807, a decided ma-
jority of the common-coimcil of Jamaica made a
law, whicli they perversely and wickedly entitled
" An ordinance for preventing the profanation of
religious rites, and false worship of God, under
the pretence of preaching and teaching, by illite-
rate, ignorant, and ill-disposed persons, and the
mischievous consequences thereupon."

In the preamble to their statute they set out
with the grand mistake which has misled so many
civil governors in different ages and nations,
namely, that they had a right to dictate in matters
of religion. They pretend to be doing their duty,
and pretend to be very zealous for the honour of
God and the credit of religion. But who required
this at tlieir hands ? Under pretence of prevent-
ing improprieties in religion, these ^'' rulers took
counsel together against the l^ord, and against his
Christ." AVith the aAo\val of zeal for pure and
undefiled religion, they acted over again the part
acted at Babylon, when the three Hebrews were
thrown into the burning fiery furnace ; and that

LIFE OF DR. COKE, S85

was SO often acted in after-ages both by Jewish,
Pagan, and Popish persecutors. I will not stain
my book by inserting a copy of this execrable
enactment, but proceed to say, that nothing could
be more effectual than the provisions of it, for
preventhig the slaves from hearing the gospel on
six days out of every seven : before the sun rises
they are compelled to be at their labour, and they
are not permitted to quit their work till the sun
goes down. The law, therefore, leaves them at
liberty to attend preaching during those hours
they are confined, that is, when they cannot pos-
sibly attend ; and prohibits their attendance only
when they can attend ! Such were the methods
which these lying legislators adopted " for pre-
venting the profanation of religious rites, and
false worshipping of God !"

The breach of this law was to be punished in
a white person, who should have any share in
such worship, by a fine of not more than one
himdred pounds, or by imprisonment in the com-
mon gaol, not exceeding three months, or both ;
in a coloured or black person just the same ; and
if a slave, the breach of this statute was to be
punished by confinement and hard labour in the
workhouse, for any space not exceeding six
months; or by whipping, not exceeding thirty-
nine stripes ; or both, as should in these respective
cases be adjudged.

The framers of this law had no jurisdiction
beyond the precincts of the town and parish of
Kingston, which confined the operation of the
letter of it accordingly, but the sphit which pro-
duced it reached to other places, to the injury of
the missions. It was not a little remarkable, that
French and Spanish priests remained unmolested,
while free-born natives of the British protestant
government were laid under an interdict.

13. 3 C

386 ' LIFE OF DR. COKE.

A still more effectual obstruction to the pro-
pagation of the gospel was thrown in the way :
the assembly, council, and govermor of Jamaica,
passed a law in November, 1807, which they en-
titled ** An act for the protection, subsisting,
clothing, and for the better order and government
of the slaves, and for other purposes."

The preamble seems to express a wish for the
slaves to be instructed in the principles of the».
christian religion. This is no sooner intimated
than it proceeds to declare, that the instruction
of such slaves shall be confined to the doctrines of
the church of England, and that no Methodist
missionary, or other sectary, or preacher, shall
/presume to instruct the slaves, or receive them
into their houses, chapels, or conventicles, of any
sort or description, under the penalty of twenty
pounds for every slave proved to have been there,
and to be recovered in a summary manner before
any three justices of the peace, who were autho-
rised to issue their warrant for the recovery of the
same. The evident design of the legislature was
to cut off all intercourse between the missionaries
and the slaves.

The persecutors in Kingston persevered in
their evil exertions, and made the utmost use of
their restrictive " ordinance," as appeared by the
account which Mr. Gilgrass sent to Dr. Coke,
dated the 2nd of February, 1808.

A missionary and his wife having just arrived
from England, introduced a new tune into the
singing-meeting, which was now held from five to
six o'clock in the evening. The meeting being
much taken up with this new tune, continued
trying to learn it till a quarter after six, when a
police-officer and a magistrate, with a night-guard,
sunounded and entered the house, and took Mr.
Gilgrass, and Mr. Knowlan, another missionary.

LIFE OF DR. COKE. 387

into custody, to carry them, at the request of the
officer of the police, down to the Cage, a place
where all vagabonds are confined for misdemea-
nors. However they were permitted to stay at
home, upon promising to be forth-coming in the
morning. They were then informed, that the
business would be let drop : but in a few days
they were summoned to the court-house, before
the corporation: and a few days after that again,
after standing above two hours before his judges,
the mayor pronounced upon Mr. Gilgrass the fol-
lowing sentence: — " William Gilgrass, you are
found guilty, by a large majority of this assembly,
of a breach of the resolution of the late " ordi-
nance," keeping your house a receptacle for that
purpose ; for which you are to be confined in
Kingston common gaol one month." JMr. Gil-
grass looked the mayor in the face, saying, " I
thank you, and am very happy under the judg-
ment."

Sundry persons visiting him in the prison,
he sung and prayed with them, and was requested
to preach ; but the magistrates prohibited both this
and singing and praying. Mrs. Gilgrass accom-
panied her husband during his imprisonment.

INlr. Knowlan should have been imprisoned
next, but as he was ill, they granted him a par-
don : and when Mr. Gilgrass had been confined a
fortnight they released him; but h6 found the
chapel shut up. He resolved, however, to preach,
and did so for a fortnight, of which there was the
more need, as many who had run well were now
moved from their stedfastness in tliis day of tribu-
lation and persecution.

The four missionaries, Messrs. Bradnock,
Gilgrass, Knowlan, and Wiggins, were sum-
moned before the sitting magistrates. A "ter bein^
interrogated, they were informed, they should

388 LIFE OF DR. COKE.

not preach without heing licensed by that court.
They answered, that tliey were alread}'^ hcensed
by the laws of England. It was replied, " What
are the laws of England to us ? What have we
to do with them?" INIr. Knowlan then moved
for a license; but was thus answered — " Indeed
you will not get one."

The class-meetings were set aside, and indeed
the whole society might be said to be dissolved.
The missionaries made every exertion to recover
their suspended privileges, but altogether in vain.
The only remaining hope, therefore, was in an
application to the king and his privy council.
But appreliensivc of such an application, the
framers of the law made a delay of some months
before they transmitted the law for the sanction of
the king ; and when it came, it was accompanied
by an agent, who appeared to be delegated to
enforce all its clauses.

The committee appointed by the Conference
for guarding tlie privileges of the Methodist Con-
nexion, of whom Dr. Coke was a leading mem-
ber, had before made application to the king's
most honourable privy council; but the answer
returned was, that no such act as was alluded to,,
had yet arrived. The CQjnmittee also presented a
petition, ar rather memorial, to the king liimself

The three denominations of dissenters also
presented a memorial " to the right hononrable
the Lords of the committee of privy ccpncil for
trade and plantations, representing the ^ifterings
of their brethren in Jamaica," and praying the
king to withh'^ld his assent to the persecuting law.

Notwithstanding these memorials, the year
1808 passed away, and left the interesting ques-
tion still undecided. But in the spring of 1809,
after the board of trade had duly heard and con-
sidered the subject, Dr. Coke received the follow-
ing letter :

LIFE OF DR. COKE. S89

** Office for Trade, TVJiitehall, ^Qth April, 1809,

^•' Lord Batlmrst presents his compliments to
Dr. Coke, and acquaints him, that the late act
passed in Jamaica, in November, 1807, " for the
protection, subsisting, clothing, and for the better
order and government of slaves, and for other
purposes," was this day disallowed by his majesty
in council." This news was communicated to ail
the Methodist Societies throughout the United
Kingdom and the West Indies, that all might
partake of the general joy. But though the arm
of persecution was somewhat staid by the tolerar^t
conduct of the king and his council, yet it coidd
not make enemies into friends. A spirit of hosti-
lity to the gospel of Jesus Christ still continues
to manifest itself in Jamaica, but more especially in
Kingston, to which place indeed its greatest fury is
confined. In this town, through the influence of
a municipal law, preaching has been prevented
year after year. Though the acts of the legisla-
ture have been disallowed by the king, they have
contrived to maintain their point by still enacting
something to the same effect. In August, 1812,
Mr. Wiggins, a Methodist missionary, ventured to
preach, and had large and attentive congi-egations.
But he was summoned before the magistrates, and
imprisoned a month in the comm^on gaol. But
this procured him many friends. To increase the
stir created by his imprisonment, a dreadful hur-
ricane, followed by a tremendous earthquake, had
greatly contributed. Many have considered these
awful occurrences as judgments on a guilty island.
Multitudes have flocked to prayer-meetings, estab-
lished in various parts of the town, and ^rhich, it
seems, the magistrates cannot present. These
have been attended with the most blessed effects
to the souls of many ; and partly supply the want

390 LIFE OF DR. COKE.

of the public preachings, of which they continue
to be deprived. At INiorant Bay, once the seat of
}>ei*secution, the society is in a flourishing condi-
tion ; and the congregations are not disturbed. —
On many plantations there is an open door, which
present to the four missionaries now stationed in
Jamaica full as much work as they can do : and
even amidst persecution there is cause to be thank-
ful. The number in the Methodist society, in
Jamaica, in the year 1814, was returned at 1937.

The Island of Trinidad.

This island has been but little noticed in the
liistory of the Western World. It is the most
southern of what are called the Charibee islands.
It was discovered by Columbus in his third voyage
to those regions : and he gave it the name of Tri-
nidad, in honour of the Holy Trinity. He was
overtaken by a violent storm, and in great danger :
and in the midst of his distress, he vowed, that if
spared to make any more discoveries, the first
should bear that sacred name. It was not long
before a sailor, at the mast-head, descried three
points of land, apparently emerging from the
ocean ; and this appeai^ance, as well as his recent
vow, seemed to demand that the island should be
called Trinidad.

It was in the year 1498, that Columbus first
landed on this island ; and from its contiguity to
the southern continent, which he intended to ex-
plore, he found it admirably calculated for a place
of rendezvous to himself, as well as to future ad-
venturers, who might engage in expeditions to
those little-known regions of the globe.

The discovery of Trinidad led to that of the
river Oronooko, to the mouth of which it lies
almost contiguous. Trinidad produced no gold.

LIFE OF DR COKE, 391

and was but little thought of, especially as
objects of greater importance attracted the notice
of Columbus.

Trinidad is of a quadrangular form, separated
from Paria, in Terra Firma, by a straight of about
eight miles. The soil is fruitful, producing sugar,
cotton, Indian corn, fine tobacco, cassava, and
other roots, and generally all that is found in
North and South America. It is upwards of 70
miles in length, and from 30 to 60 in breadth. —
All the interior parts are covered with forests.

In 1595, that great English Admiral, Sir
Walter Raleigh, sailed to tlie Western Continent,
leaving Plymouth on the 6th of February, and
reaching Trinidad on the 22d of March. And as
Great Britain was then at war with Spain, he
landed his forces, conquered, and took possession
of the island.

He made a speech to the natives, about his
sovereign Queen Elizabeth, which, together with
his actions, filled them with astonishment, and
they were almost ready to pay divine honour to
the picture of the queen, which was presented for
their inspection.

From Trinidad Sir Walter took with him an
hundred men, and sailed 1400 miles up the river
Oronooko : but the intense heat of the sun, and
other obstructions, overpowered his strength and
resolution, and he was obliged to return without
accomplishing any lasting or valuable purpose. In
consequence of his disappointment, he abandoned
Trinidad, which again fell into the hands of the
Spaniards. In 1676, it was attacked, conquered,
plundered, and abandoned by the French. The
Spaniards again took re-possession,» and held it till
the year 1797, when it was captured by the Eng-
lish, and was ceded to them by the treaty of peace
of Amiens in 1802.

392 LirE OF DH. coKi':.

As to religion, the Komaii Catholic, with the
old Spanish attachment to its most rigid disciphne
and frivolous superstitions, prevails througJiout
the island.

Till very lately, the Methodists had no mis*
sionary in Trinidad: but JMr. Talboys, a missionary,
then stationed in the island of St. Vincent's, had
occasion to visit Trinidad, in 1809. On his arrival
he began to preach, and many attended to hear.
But meeting with some interruption, he applied
to the governor for protection, which was granted :
and preaching went on without further molesta-
tion. At first he preached in a house which he
rented ; but this, though it would hold about 200
persons, was soon found too small to hold the con-
gregation. It was then enlarged about one-third ;
tut this also was insufficient. A chapel was then
proposed, and very shortly built, chiefly by the
joint endeavours of those who wished to hear. —
This was soon filled with deeply attentive and
truly respectable hearers, and a society of 57
members was formed in the year 1811. In 1813,
the number in society was 138 : and 1815, the
return was 160.

Grenada.

This is one of the Windward Charibee
islands, about 24 miles long and 12 broad. It is
^0 leagues or 90 miles north-west of Tobago, and
the same distance south-west from Barbadoes. —
North latitude about 12 10. West longitude
30. A ciiain of mountains crosses it from north
to south, in the centre of which is a large lake.
Near the coast, the soil is fertile, producing
indigo, sugar, coffee, cotton, and tobacco. It is
finely wooded, and trees of all sorts, both fruit
and timber^ except the cocoa-tree, thrive better

LIFE OF DR. COKE. 393

here than those of the same species in the neigh-
bouring islands. It is watered with ten rivers.

Cohimbus discovered this island about the
year 1498. It was at that time inhabited by a
numerous race of native Charaibees. On the ap-
proach of the Spaniards towards the shores, the
natives exhibited marks of the most stern defiance,
accompanied by preparations to resist invasion. —
And as the island afforded no tempting gold,
the Spaniards went off in pursuit of easier and
richer conquests.

In 1651, the French established a settlement
in Grenada, and afterwards utterly exterminated
the native Charaibees.

Du Parquet, the governor of Martinico, took
with him about 200 of his fiercest desperadoes,
and landed in Grenada, designing to kill the na-
tives before him. But meeting with a reception
more friendly than they expected, they pretended
to enter into a treaty for the purchase of the
country ; and gave some knives and hatchets, and
a large quantity of glass beads, besides two bottles
of brandy for the cliief himself; and thus did the
invaders pretend that the island was faiiiy ceded
to the French nation in lawful purchase. But the
natives entertaiiied no such ideas, and absolutely
refused to surrender their country. They were
instantly declared to be in a state of rebellion ;
and war and destruction began.

Du Parquet, indeed, returned to Martinico,
but he appointed La Compte, his kinsman, to the
command of a fort which he had erected. The
natives continued to defend their independency
with vigoin* : but a reinforcement being sent La
Compte from Martinico, he overpowered the
natives, who fell in almost every direction.

The unhappy Indians collected together,
13. 3 D

3^4 LIFE OF DB. COKE.

amounting to about 80, to make tlieir last des-
perate effort. But one half of these being killed^
the rest fled to a rock or precipice, hanging over
the sea. Hither the French pursued them ; and
left them no alternative, but whether they would
be drowned or killed by the sword; and tliey pre-
cipitated themselves headlong into the ocean.—*
This precipice retains to this day the appellation
of Lc Moi'ue de Saiitcurs, or, " the Hill of the
Leapers."

The French now quarrelled among themselves
about the spoils; but Du Parquet and his party
prevailed, and assumed the government. But he
wanting money, sold it to a French nobleman,
who sent out a governor to act despotically, and
raise a princely salary for his master, who had
made tlie purchase for thirty thousand crowns. —
He proving inexorable to all complaints and remon-
strances, the principal settlers, unwilling to submit
to the levies, abandoned the plantations, which
they had improved at considerable expence, and
fled to MartinicOi But the governor oppressed
those who remained still miore cruelly, which pro-
duced a general insurrection. The tyrant was
seized ; and a court immediately formed to try
him. This was composed of such of the lower
people as remained on the island, after those of
higher rank had emigrated to JMartinico. One
only was capable of writing his name ; and he, of
course, was the secretary. The governor^ was
impeached by a blacksmith, who used a horse-shoe
instead of a seal, to close the documents which
were sent to France, with a detail of these ext);p,-
ordinary transactions. The governor was con-
demned to be hanged; but he solicited the honour
of being beheaded. They compromised the mat-
ter; they agreed to shoot him; and to this he
quietly submitted. But the judges- and execu-

LIFE OF DR. COKE. 395

tioner, fearful of consequences, fled from the
island. The whole population was reduced to 251
white people ; free mulattoes and negroes 53 ; and
525 slaves. But in 1714, the avaricious Count
de Cerillac transferred his right and property to
the French A¥est India company. This was fol-
lowed by great improvements in the circumstances
of the island, which still increased when it became
the property of the crown of France.

But in the war between England and France,
which broke out in 1755, the superior naval power
of Great Britain produced the capture of Gre^
nada, and all the other Charaibee islands belong-
ing to France. On receiving the intelligence that
Martinico and Guadaloupe had been taken by the
British naval and military forces, the inhabitants
surrendered without resistance upon the ajiproach
of those forces. And by the treaty of peace in
1763, Grenada, and its dependencies, (small islands
called the Grenadines,) were ceded in perpetuity
to the crown of Great Britain.

During the American w^ar, the French again
got possession of Grenada, but it was restored to
England by the treaty of peace.

In 1794, a malignant pestilential fever was
introduced into this island, a civil war followed,
and famine, combined with these, seemed to com-
plete the general misery. Insurreqtions and fires,
added to the yellow fever, desolated the island ;
and the contagion did not entirely cease before the
year 1798.

We come now to religion. In the year 1784,
five clergymen of the Church of England were
established in this island, and placed in the several
parishes into which the territories had been divid-
ed. But whatever service this might be of to
the white inhabitants, the blacks were almost
totally overlooked. Though these clergymen

396 LIFE OF DR. COKE.

must have sometimes read, that God " made of
one blood all nations of men, for to dwell on all
the face of the earth," yet, by their conduct, they
might have imagined that no human beings had
immortal souls but such as were covered with
white skins. The poor benighted and enslaved
Africans were neglected.

It was the knowledge of this melancholy
truth, which induced Dr. Coke to take such a
lively interest and so active a part in sending mis-
sionaries to the West Indies, and which moved
himself to brave the dangers of crossing' the great
deep, to visit these islands, and to go from one of
tliem to another, to preach among these Gentiles
the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to labour
to turn them from darkness to light, and from the
power of Satan unto God.

In my account of the island of Antigua, the
early introduction of the gospel, and the instru-
ments by whom God has been pleased to bless it,
will be seen recorded somewhat at large. The
reader will there find a supply of those deficiencies
which he may discover in the account of Grenada,
and some of the other Islands. From Antigua
the gospel spread around. , Every island was found
to abovmd with vice, and swarmed with uncultivat-
ed negroes, living without hope and without God
in the world ; and too often manii§esting that car-
nal mind, that is enmity against God, and the
gospel of his grace.

In November, 1790, Dr. Coke landed in
Grenada, as before-mentioned. Here, it seems,
was a truly pious and excellent minister of the
Church of England ; and the only one, I believe,
at that time, in the West Indies, that answered
the description of what is often termed an evange-
lical or gospel minister.

The Doctor was hospitably entertained at the

LIFE OF Dil, COKE. 397

house of a IVIr. Rae, an agent to two principal
West India merchants in London, and to whom
he brought a recommendatory letter. This gen-
tleman had about 900 negroes under his care ; and
he said, that so far as his influence could extend,
they should be open to the instruction, and liis
house to the entertainment of any missionary the
Doctor might send. These negroes had, hov/evcr,
been much exposed to the superstitions of some
Komish priests who had gained a footing among
them.

When Dr. Coke was on his fifth tour to the
American continent, and third to the West Indies,
he paid another visit to Grenada. He found that Mr.
Dent, the pious and worthy rector of the parish of St.
' George, already mentioned, had retained his former
friendship and piety, and contributed to the sup-
port of the mission that was partially established.
A society was already formed: and during the
preceding year, Mr. Owens, one of the Metho-
dist missionaries, had occasionally visited the
island ; preaching had been established in several
places, and many flocked to hear ; irregularity had
given place to order, and the society increased,
though still far from being large.

The inhabitants of Grenada are a mixture of
French and Enghsh, and retain their respective
languages. A*missionary, therefore, was wanted,
who could speak both languages, and such an one
Dr. Coke found in Mr. Bishop, a native of the
island of Jersey. He was also possessed of ardent
zeal for the salvation of souls.

The inhabitants of Grenada treat their slaves
with less severity than those of any other of the
islands. They have among them a law, which
provides guardians in every parish, who are obliged
upon oatn to oversee and protect the negroes from
injurious treatment. This law was enacted about

398 LIFE OF DR. COKE.

the year 1789 : and soon after a lady was fined
£500 for cruelty towards her slaves.

After spending about a week in Grenada,
he took his leave of his friends, and sailed for
Tortola.

In June, 1793, INIr. Bishop informed Dr.
Coke, that God had lately done wonders among
them ; that they had one hundred in society ; and
that a chapel was finished, which would hold near
400 people, and was sometimes too little. He
further stated, that there were great openings for
the gospel, and that they could form three circuits
in Grenada, and should have wherewith to supply
the wants of the preachers, if they had them. But
this man of burning zeal soon finished his course.
Before he had finished the letter containing the
above information, he died. The Rev. ^Mr. I)ent
wrote on the same sheet as follows : —

** June 18, 1793,

" Thus far had our departed brother written
about the first week in this month. On the 11th,
he was seized with a violent fever, and died at the
chapel, about two o'clock on the morning of Sun-
day, the l6th. He was buried in the yard on the
evening of the same day. His mental faculties
were much deranged, from a very early stage ; and,
though he had the assistance of three of tlie prin-
cipal physicians, were never perfectly restored. —
Yet, though thus afflicted, he bore his sufi^erings
with great patience, and prayed, or exhorted,
though in broken accents, to the last. I preached
in the chapel, after the interment, to a very full
congregation, on these words, which he had writ-
ten on a paper of directions left with me a few
weeks ago: — " Blessed are the dead which die in
the Lord."

LIFE OF DR. COKE. 399

Though religion flourished among the En-
glish in Grenada, yet scarcely one of the French
paid any attention to JMr. Bishop's preaching.
And now a vigorous attempt was made against
the missionaries, and in favour of the Romish
priests. An act passed the assembly, establish-
ing the Romish clergy with the Church of England
m every paiish; allowing them £200 a year; and
prohibiting preachers of any other denomination
whatever from exercising the functions of the
ministry ; and in case such ministers should preach
in the island, they were to be taken up, and
treated as rogues and vagabonds. However it
met with such strong opposition, that it did not
pass into a law.

The war which now raged with such fury in
Europe, extended to the West Indies, and Grena-
da had not only to resist French invasion, but
was afflicted with internal war. Not only were
many of the pious negroes compelled to bear arms,
but some of the preachers had to do military ser-
vice, and tlie friends were under the necessity of
lending the Chapel for barracks for one of the
black corps that were raised there.

In 1797, the number in society at Grenada
was 115.

In 1804, the Rev. Mr. Dent, who had been
such a friend and helper to the mission and the
missionaries, died rather suddenly of the gout in
the stomach. His friends sorrowed, "but not as
men without hope. "

From 1807 to 1809, (I suppose occasioned by
the disturbances in the island,) there was no mis-
sionary there, which caused the society to dwindle
to 70 members. But the number was soon aug-
mented to 90, and the mission wore a prosperous
face. In 1813, the number in society was 106.
The annual report for 1814 says, " Our accounts

400 LIFE OF Dll. COKE.

from Grenada are not so full and circumstantial as
could be wished, to lay before our readers a satis-
factory report of the work of God among the
inhabitants. We have only one missionary in
this island, nor is it in our power to support ano-
ther at present, even if he could be furnished with
employment. In the country several places are
open for his reception, and to some of these he
pays occasional visits. Many, however, among
the planters, are by no means friendly to our cause ;
and no doubt they would readily oppose our
endeavours to instruct the slaves, if their power
was equal to their wishes. Hitherto, we have
reason to bless God, the governor has afforded us
protection, and under the sanction of his autho-
rity we have enjoyed peace. Nevertheless, we
do not perceive that rapid increase in our society,
nor that visible progress in the work of God,
which we perceive in many other islands. The
time, however, we hope w^ill come, when the
prejudices w^hich now predominate with many,
Vvdll disappear before the preaching of the gospel,
and when those planters who are hostile, will
favour the cause which they now seem anxious to
suppress. These are the effects which we have
frequently witnessed in other places ; and we have
equal reason to hope that similar effects may be
produced in Grenada. We shall state the number
of our members in our society as we did last year,
106." In the report for 1815, the number is 129-

Barbadoes.

This island was not discovered by Columbus,
but by the Portuguese, who thought it too insig-
nificant to demand much attention. It is not cer-
tain in what year the discovery was made ; but
probably about 1600. The Portuguese found it

LIFE OF DR. COKE. 401

tuiciiltivated, and without inhabitants, though it
seems probable it had formerly been occupied by
Charaibees, but who, for reasons unknown, had
abandoned it.

AVitliout attempting any settlement in it, the
Portuguese turned some hogs into the woods to
multiply. Their probable motive was, to provide
a source of provisions for themselves, or some of
their coimtrymen, who might navigate the same
track, and require refreshments.

In the year 1605, an English ship, from Lon-
don to Surinam, fell in with this island, and on
landing, these Englishmen erected a cross on or
near the place where James- town was afterwards
built, and carved on an adjacent tree the follow-
ing inscription : — " James, King of England,
and of this island"

By this time, the hogs which the Portuguese
had turned a-shore on the island, were greatly
multiplied, and ran w41d in the woods. They
afforded a supply of provisions to the new inha-
bitants. Parrots, pigeons, and other birds, were
numerous^ and the sea-coast abounded with fish.
But they only stopt till their wants were supplied,
and then pursued their voyage.

Some years elapsed before any person seems
to have thought of establishing a colony in Bar-
badoes, till a London merchant, on his return
from the Brazils, was driven to it by a violent
tempest. The master and seamen were not a little
pleased, and made such a favourable report of its
beauty, fertility, and other good qualities, that it
attracted the notice of Lord Ley, afterwards Earl
of Marlborough, and lord high treasurer. This
nobleman, to secure for himself a possession which
promised much future wealth, made an applica-
tion to King James, and obtained from him a
13 3E

402 LIFE OF DR. COKfi.

grant of the island. But in the mean time, Sir
W^illiam Coiirteen, the owner of the ship which
had lately touched at Barbadoes, concerted mea-
sures for an establishment upon that island, and
took over about thirteen persons, furnished with
implements of husbandry and different kinds of
seeds, and provisions for a season.

A Governor of Barbadoes was appointed in
1624. The island was cov(^red with forests almost
impenetrable, and the trees were extremely difficult
to cut, they were so liard. But diligence, labour,
and patience, soon made such a change, that the
settlement reached its zenith of prosperity with a
decree of rapidity seldom equalled either in the
old or new w^orld.

But prosperity too often creates envy. Lord
Carlisle, who was planting a colony on the island
of St. Christopher's, wanted to have Barbadoes
also. Conceiving that I>,ord Ley's patent was at
variance with liis ow^n indefinite grant, previously
obtained, of all the Charaibee islands, a dispute
arose between these tv/o noblemen. But after
long and severe contention, Lord Carlisle carried
his point, only he engaged to pay £300 annually
to Lord Ley and his sons for ever. But Cointeen,
who had superior claims to either of these Lords,
was passed over with neglect. But the case being
laid before the king, he revoked tlie patent given
to the Earl of Carhsle. But upon his lordsliip
pleading his own cause before him. King Charles,
who appears to have been always carried away by
the last tale, renewed the grant to Lord Carlisle.
This took place in the year 1629.

The noble patentee had the lands divided
into convenient parcels ; a London company
obtained ten thousand acres. Above sixty adven-
turers engaged to go thither, who landed on the
Island in July, 162J>. The early settlers, who

LIFE OF DE, COKE. 403

had toiled so successfully, were stripped of their
rights, aud compelled to an unconditional sur-
render.

Barbadoes is the easternmost of all the Wind-
ward Isles. It is 25 miles long, and 15 broad. —
Tlie country is in general level. It has suffered
much from hurricanes, particularly from the dread-
ful one of 1780. Tlie capital is Bridgtown.

As to religion in Barbadoes, the reader will
have anticipated, perhaps, that it would not be
long, after it became a British colony, before it
woidd be furnished with ministers of the Church
of England. But no accounts within my reach,
give any very hiteresting statements of the useful-
ness of their labours.

In treating of missions, we have frequent
occasion to mention the Moravian Brethren. The
negroes on the island of Barbadoes were often the
subject of the tlioughts and prayers of many of
them ; but when the way and manner of estab-
lishing a mission there was taken into considera-
tion, they saw difficulties which seemed insur-
mountable. After making an unsuccessful attempt,
a brother in England, in 1675, resolved to go
thither, trusting in the I^ord, that he would give
success to his attempt to bring the negroes lo the
knowledge of the truth. A brother from Ame-
rica soon joined him. These missionaries found
favour in the eyes of some of the gentlemen on
tlie island, and many negroes shewed a desire to
hear the glad tidings of redemption from sin by
the blood of Cinist. The work of the Holy
Ghost was soon apparent. The missionaries pur-
chased a spot of ground, to fit up dwellings for
themselves, and a hall in which the negroes could
meet : many good effects ol' the labours of these
men soon appeared; and some negi'oes vrere,
baptized.

404? LIFE OF DR. COKE,

By the accounts published by the United
Brethren, we learn, that in the year 1790, the
missionaries in that island were well and active,
and had good hopes concerninjf> their mission,
though it had not so far flourished so much as some
in other parts. The negro congregation then con-
sisted of about forty baptized persons, ^Vnd in
addition to these, they had on Sinidays a numer^
ous auditory. They found the power of dark-
ness to be very great, but they relied on the
Almighty, and lived and laboured in hope.

In 1792, their chapel was well filled with
negroes every Sunday; thirteen adults had been
baptized, and ten had been added to the commu-
nicants in the preceding year.

After this, they stated, that the progress of
religion was not so evident in Barbadoes as on
some other islands. Yet, their report said, they
had cause to praise God, for what he had done,
during the preceding year. Seventeen adults and
four children had been baptized.

On December the 4th, 1788, Dr. Coke, accom-
panied by three missionaries, landed in Barbadoes.
Two of the missionaries sailed immediately for St.
Vincent's, while the Doctor and Mr. Pearce re-
mained to make a trial. A company of soldiers
happened to be there, lately come from Ireland,
several of whom were serious, and knoAvn to INIr.
Pearce. Several of ^those had preached since their
arrival, and had many hearers. A gentleman had
accommodated them with a large room, formerly
used as a warehouse. This gentleman invited the
Doctor and Mr. Pearce to breakfast, He had fre-
quently heard Dr. Coke preach at Baltimore, in
Maryland. He and his wife joined in soliciting
them to make their house their home, which they
did accordingly.

The Doctor and ^Ir. Pearce waited upon

LIFE OF DR. COKE. 405

the p'overnor of the island, who received them
very kindly.

The Doctor preached repeatedly in Bridg-
town, to large and increasing congregations. The
way seemed fully opened for a mission, so that
JVIr, Pearce remained, began his labours, and
preached to large and attentive congregation s.~
Sufficient employment seemed instantly to be
provided, and the prospect bore a promising
aspect-

In 1790, when Dr. Coke visited Barbadoes the
second time, the prospect was somewhat beclouded.
JNIany enemies had manifested their disposition to
oppose ; Mr. Pearce had endured mucli persecution
during the two years he had been there ; and for a
considerable time, he could obtain no redress. At
length, one of the Magistrates reduced all to peace.
The Doctor preached without interruption during
his stay, in the chapel lately built, which would
contain about 700 persons. In 1793, Dr Coke
visited Barbadoes again; but found that religion
had not greatly pros])ered : there were only 51
persons in the society : 34) whites, 7 coloured
persons, and 10 blacks. But the Doctor was high-
ly gratified with meeting with a gentleman with
whom he had had a long and warm friendship
when at the college at Oxford, and who had
already allowed the missionaries to preach on his
plantation. Violent opposition was made to the
missions ; Mr. Pearce was exposed to considerable
danger. Sometimes he was violently interrupted
by a mob. But still there were many hearers, and
the congregations increased. And two little socie-
ties were formed in the country.

In the year 1791 Mr. Pearce v/as succeeded in
his missionary labours by Mr. Lumb, vdio found
on his arrival that, notwithstanding the wicked-
ness and opposition which prevailed, he had

406 LI IE OF DR. COKE.

more places tlian he could supply with preaching.
He had the liberty of attending seventeen estates.
But there was little prosperity; and jMr. Lumb
ibund himself at once exposed to the ridicule of
thousands of professed enemies, and the allure-
ments of others who professed to be his friends.

In the year 1798, this mission seems to Jiave
been so hopeless, that it was abandoned till tlie
year 1800. And there was such little encourage-
ment, that after some months they were again
deserted for three months.

In INIarch, 1804, Mr. Bradnock arrived at
Barbadoes. " I found," said he, " a large island,
with more than one himdred and twenty thousand
souls ; but only twenty-four in our society, with
about forty hearers, and a debt of tliirty pounds
for repairs lately made."

JMr. Bradnock seems to have been much bles-
sed in his labours, and he was much encouraged,
as well as protected by the civil power. Flattering
prospects surrounded him. But there was some
riotous opposition. However, he applied to the
magistrates, who afforded him redress.

In 1805, the society was left in peace by
iVlr. Bradnock, but was only 49 in number, though
that was more than twice the number which he
found when he came thither.

The succeeding years were passed over with
alternate encouragements and discouragements,
but most of tiie latter : the preaching was never-
theless still continued ; and in 1812, the society
numbered 40; in 1814, 54; and 1815, 72.

St. Vincent's.

The situation of this island is in the 13th
degree of north latitude, and the 61st west lon-
gitude from London, and is nearly at an equal

LIFE OF DR. COKE. 407

distance from Grenada and Barbadoes. It is about
40 miles long and 10 broad.

This island being eitlier overlooked or neg-
lected by the European navigators and adventu-
rers, many years after they had seized and colo-
nized most of the other West India islands, be-
came the asylum of the native Indians, who had
fled from the cruelties of the Spaniards, the fii'st
invaders of their ancient habitations. This island
v/as only inhabited by native Charibs, till towards
the latter end of the last century, when a ship
from Guinea, with a large cargo of slaves, was
either wrecked or run ashore on the coast ; great
numbers of negroes escaped into the woods and
mountains, whom the Indians suffered to remain.
The Africans soon became very numerous, partly
by the accession of slaves from Barbadoes, and
partly by the children they had by the Indian
women. After this, the country became the
theatre of savage wars between the negroes and
the Charaibees, in which the negroes were gene-
rally victorious, and especially in the end; their
number being in the year 1763 computed at 2000,
while not more than a hundred families were left
of the red Charibs.

St. Vincent's was long considered as a neutral
island by France and England ; but at the peace
of 1763, the French agreed that it should belong
to England ; who afterwards, by the influence of
some rapacious planters, engaged in a war against
the Charaibees, who inhabited the windward side
of the island, who were forced to cede a very large
tract of valuable land to the crown. In conse-
quence of this, their resentment prompted them
to aid the French in conquering the island in 1779,
but who restored it at the peace of 1783.

The country is generally mountainous and
rugged : but the vallies are extremely fruitful It

4aS LIFE OF DIl. CaivF.

contains about 80,000 acres, every where well
watered, oi* wliicli 23,605 acres are po.^sessed by
British subjects ; and as mucli more was lately held
by the Charibs. But during the French revolu-
tionary war, and that at a veiy early period, St.
A'incent's became the theatre of savage intestine
liostilitieSi The memorable Victor Hugues, the
French governor of Guadaloupe, employed secret
confidential emissaries, to disseminate democratic
principles in all the neighbouring English islands.
A confederacy for a general insurrection was agreed
upon. The rebellion broke out^ and spread havoc'
and bloodshed* Distress, in a thousand variegated
forms, extended and maintained a dismal triumph.
But the Charaibees were at length entirely van-
quished, and the surviving remnant were trans-
ported to the little island of Basileau.

It is a true but melancholy observation, that
the histories of nations in general are little more
than accounts of injustice and general wickedness;
in which plunder is dignified with the appellation
of conquest; and in which barbarity is excused
under an idea of its necessity. Thus has the earth
often been filled with violence, and cruel habita-
tions. They who are ignorant of God, and the
things belonging to their peace, cannot be expected
to be otherwise than sinful ; and they who are
sinful must be miserable.

I proceed to observe, that prior to the intro-
duction of the Methodist missions into the island,
St. Vincent's exhibited a deplorable picture*
Whites and blacks "were much alike : they were
ignorant, sinful, and miserable.

The island had long been divided into five
parishes; but in four of them, when Dr. Coke
]x'ud his first visit, no church had ever been biult i
and the one that had been erected was destroyed
by a hurricane in the year 1780. The only cler-

LIFE OF DR COKE. 409

(^yman then in the island performed divine service
in the court-^house in Kingstown.

And it does not appear that the Moravians
had ever made any attempt to estabhsh a mission
in St. Vincent's.

Here then was an island containing above
twelve thousand inhabitants, for whose souls no
man seemed to care. And yet they were called
christians, and thought themselves such, though
without even so much as the form of godliness.

When Dr. Coke was driven by stress of wea-
ther and adverse winds to Antigua, in 1786, he
held a little conference, and received a pressing
invitation from some who were acquainted with
the doctrines, discipline, and designs of the Me-
thodists, to pay a visit to St. Vincent's. The
Doctor and Mr. Baxter, the Methodist preacher
in Antigua, instantly embarked, and landed at
Kingstown, in St. Vincent's, on the 9th of January,
1787.

They found a Mr. Claxton, who had formerly
been in the Methodist society in Antigua, who
readily fitted up a place to preach in, as well as
received them into his house. There were other
encouraging openings in the country. The pros-
pect was so good, and the calls so loud, that a mis-
sionary was immediately stationed therCi

The mission went on smoothly, and with
some degr'ee of prosperity, though this was not so
great as might have been expected.

In December, 1788, Dr. Coke paid a second
visit to St. Vincent's. Mr. Baxter, on different
visits to this island, had conceived the idea of
evangelizing tlie Charaibees. He and the Doctor
had a most romantic excursion in visiting these
savages.

A vigorous exertion was now made for the
IS. fj F

no LIFK or DK. COKE.

good of these poor creatures. xV scliool wr^s-
erected, and Mv. and Mrs. Joyce were sent from
Loudon to teacli it. ]Mr. and JNIrs. IJaxter were
induced to go and reside on the Charib boundary^
for the purpose of introducing the gospel among
them.

Preaching had ah-eady been established in
different parts of the ishuid, and societies formed.
In several of these places the Doctor preached
while on this journey, and much good- will was
manifested by the inhabitants in general. And
besides ]Mr. Baxter, two missionaries were ap-
pointed. The two succeeding years, the mission
went on well : multitudes attended the preachings
and many manifested decisive evidences of beitng
born of God.

The congregation in Kingston greatly increas-
ed : and the work gradually enlarged on tlie dif-
ferent plantations in the country. In different
parts of the island, some hundreds were added
to the society, who walked becoming the gospel.

JNIr. Baxter, Iiowever, was totally imsuccessful
among the Charaibees ; and their rejection of the
gospel was almost instantly followed by that awful
war, before-mentioned, in whicli so many of them
were hurried into eternity.

After having taken a tour through a great
part of the United States of America, as well as
England and Ireland, since his last visit to the
West Indies, on the 24th of January, 179'i, Dr.
Coke landed in St. Christopher's, and Avas instantly
informed by Mr. Warrener, the missionary there,
tliat a dreadful persecution Itad broken out in St.
A^incent's ; and that JNIr. I^umb, the missionary,
wa,s. then in the common prison for no other crime
than preaching the gospel. Afflicted with JMr.
I^umb's afflictions, the Doctor on that same day
hastened to St. Vincent's to see the prisoner;

LIFE OF DR. COKE. 411

whom he found in tlie common gaol with a ma-
lefactor, to Avhom shortly another was added.

Because Mr. I^umb exhorted the poor ne-
groes throudi the <>Tatiii"s, he was closely
confined, and a guard a})pomted to prevent Ins
rescue, or any person of colour from speaking
to him, or he to them. But the white people,
and they alone, were allowed to visit him, and
provisions sufficient both for him and his fellow
prisoners were regularly furnished. But, why
was Mr. Lumb imprisoned? Why, because he
preached, and would continue to preach, the
gospel of the grace of God to the poor negroes,
in the Methodist Chapel built with their own mo-
ney, and to which no other person pretended
to lay any claim. The carnal miiid, which is
enmity against God and the things of God, and
his Gospel especially, raised this persecution. To
prevent the negroes from being instructed, and
to hinder the progress of those conversions which
had taken place, a law was enacted, that no per-
son in the island should preach, without first
obtaining a licence : and that no person should be
eligible to a licence, who had not resided a year
on the island. This was a blow directly aimed
at the plan of Itinerancy, or the annual changes
of preachers, which takes place in those islands,
the same as among the Methodists in Great
Britain and Ireland.

The people in general, and many of tlie
most respectable of the inhabitants, strongly
reprobated tlie measure. The la^v m'hs passed
when the Assembly was about to close the Ses-
sion ; in haste ; and when many of the members
were gone; and thert not without opposition.
The penalties were, for the first offence, a fiiH>
of ten Johannes, that is 18/. or imprisonment for
not more tlian niiietv days, nor less than tliirtv.

412 LIFE OF DR. COKE.

For the second offence such corporal punishment
as tlie court sliould think proper to inflict, and
banishment. And lastly, on retimi from banishr
ment, death.

Mr. Lumb transgressed this law, and it wa§
all the accusation they could bring against him.

Prior to this, the progress of the mission had
been very great, and the prospect was still enlarg-
ing. Many of the negroes already feared God and
wrought righteousness ; and the rest throughout
the island seemed ripe for the gospel. 15ut now a
famine of the word prevailed ; many turned biick
to folly, while others grew weary and faint in their
minds ; but a considerable number held fast where-
unto they had attained.

When the Doctor returned to England, he
laid a memorial before the king in council ; and
also made application to some of the members of
the executive government. Orders were given,
that the colonial minister should send letters to all
the governors of the West India islands, to make
enquiries concerning the Methodist missionaries in
general. The reports returned were (as Dr. Coke
was informed) exceedingly favourable. So that in
August, 1793, when the Doctor, with five or six
of the preachers in London, waited upon Mr.
Secretary Dundas, he informed them, " That his
majesty in council had been graciously pleased to
disannul the act of the assembly of St. Vincent's,"
which banished the missionaries from the island.
So that after the mission had been in a depressed
and afflicted state for some months, the places of
worship were re-opened.

In 1794, when the two missionaries appointed
for the islr.nd arrived, they found the societies in
a shaken and forlorn condition. They were scat-
tered like sheep without a shepherd. The ninnber
was considerably reduced, thougli some had not

LIFE OF DR. COKE. 413

forsaken the assembling of themselves together.—
The missionaries endeavoured to collect the scat-
tered sheep, and to repair the waste places, and
their labours were not in vain. Many of the lost
sheep returned, and the congregations were soon
large and respectable. But almost immediately
came on the Charib war, which threatened uni-
versal destruction. Sword and fire united to des-
troy tranquillity ; and the means of present safety
tended to engross the public mind, .so ^ to leave
but little room for the consideration of the joys
and pains which lie beyond the grave.

It was a general observation, that the greater
part of those who promoted the late persecution,
perished by the sword. So, they who had ex-
erted themselves to prevent the instruction of
the inhabitants, fell by the hands of ignorant
savages.

At the end of tbe war between the Charibs
and the British government, the mission was in
many places to begin again. But from this time,
there was a gradually increasing prosperity. Ob-
structions and hindrances dwindled away ; the
preaching was much attended; and there w.?s
a general revival of religion throughout the
island.

T|ie utility of the missionaries became visible
to the planters, and some of them, from interest
alone, promoted the undertaking.

In 1802, one of the missionaiies in St. Vin-
cent's informed Dr. Co^e, that they had between
two and three thousand blacks in society, many of
whom experienced a work of grace, and were
going on to full salvation ; that the congregation
in Kingstown, on a Sunday morning, consisted of
about 600 persons ; that when they preached on
the week-day evenings among the plantations,
they had generally 50 or 60 hearers in each ; but

414 LIFE OF DR. COKE.

that wlien they preached there on Sundays they had
seve ral hundreds. He further specified, that tliey
liad two love-feasts in KingstoAvn every quarter,
because tlie chapel would not hold more than one
half of the society at once ; and that the love-
feasts were very refrcshino- seasons. He added,
-that on the first Sunday in every month, they
administered the Lord's Supper to between one
and two hundred communicants : and finally, that
they had peace amouf^ themselves, and favour
with those among whom tliey lived,

After this, however,* there was a weeding
and pruning time. Some apostatized, and others
were expelled for unchristian conduct. But in
1805, one of the missionaries informed Dr. Coke
as follows: — " I think the grace of God is making-
its way into many hearts in this island. Our
hearers increase every day ; and I trust and be-
lieve, that the religion of Jesus Christ increases
in the society. Formerly few white people came to
hear the word ; but now, so many come, that they
can hardly find room either to sit or stand. It is
no^v no rare thing to see fifty or sixty of the most
respectable white people at the chapel ; and they
seem to hear with much attention. — On Easter
Sunday, tliere were about seven hundred at the
chapel by four o'clock in the morning ; .ind at ten
we liad the largest congregation I ever saw. It is
thought there were fifteen hundred or two thou-
sand people of diftercnt colours, who appeared to
Iiear with attention.

" Such a vast concourse of people could by
no means find room in the chapel ; and to remedy
the defect, we were obliged to borrow sails from a
vessel, and spread them before the door for an
awning; yet even this expedient would not afford
covering for one-half In tlie v/indward parts of
the island the places were equally as much

LIFE OF DR. COKE. 415.

crowded, iu proportion to the number of the inha-
bitants. The divine power seems to accom})any
the word ; nndtitudes enjoy tranquilhty in life ;
and many who have died, have departed in
peace"

In the year 1809, the return of the number
in society in St. Vincent's was 2374, of wdioui
only 13 were whites. The return of 1810 w^as
exactly the same number; that of 1814 w^as only
253.5 : and only 9 of these are whites.

There seems to have been a considerable re-
duction in the number from 1810 to 1813. But
the report of 1814, says, '* It may be said with
strict propriety, that in this island the harvest is
great, but the labourers are few. Every thing;
seems favourable to the cause of God. The civil
power is friendly ; tiie congregations are large,
and in most parts composed of the most respec-
table of the inhabitants ; the societies increase ;
and the missionaries enjoy good health. From
the spirit of hearing w liich prevails, more chapels
and more preachers are w^anted ; and we doubt
not, if a full supply could be procured, that reli-
gion woidd take a more extensive spread than we
liavc yet been able to record in the history of this
island. It is nevertheless worthy of remark, that,
although multitudes of all descriptions attend
preaching, it is chiefly among the African race that
the power of godliness is experienced."

Dominica.

This island lies in north latitude 1,5. 32. and
west longitude from Greenwich 61. 23. It is
about 29 miles long and 16 broad. It was discov-
ered by Columbus, November the 3d, 1493, on
Ids second voyage to the new liemispliere, who
called it Dominica, which is a corruption of the

iW tiFE or DK, CQKE.

Latin name for Sunday, on which day the disccM
very was made.

It was found inhabited by Charaibees, though
tliey were not very numerous ; and both he and
his immediate successors left them in undistin'bed
possession.

From tlie time of its disco veryy to the begin-
ning of the seventeenth century, no Europeans
attempted to make any settlement in this island.
But then some Frenchmen fixed their residence
on some parts of the sea-coast^ which had beeil
forsaken by the natives. A mutual friendship
took place, and they lived in peace and harmony*

In the year 1632, the number oftheCharai^
bees amounted to 938, who lived in 32 huts,
according to the mode of their ancestors. The
French had increased to 349 ; there were 23 free
mulattoes, and 338 negro slaves, \^^ho had beert
imported to assist in the cultivation of the land.

The growing prosperity of the island awa-
kened the envy of the contending nations of Eng-
land, France, and Holland ; wlio for the time
agreed that it should be a neutral island. But
in the war between France and England, which
broke out in the year 1755, it was seized by
the English in 1759, and confomed to them b}''
the peace of 1763.

Upon the commencement of war between
England and France, during the contest between
Great Britain and her North American colonies,
the French made a sudden and povverfid attack
upon this island, and obtained possession of it. —
The governor practised great cruelties towards the
inhabitants, especially such as were English. In
1781 a dreadful fire destroyed between four and
five hundred houses, and consumed tlie riches of
the island to the amount of two hundred thousand
pounds. The governor was suspected of being

LIFE OF DR. COKE. 417

the cause of this dreadful and destructive
calamity.

At the peace of 1783, Dominica was restored
to England, though the town of Rosseau was, as
formerly, declared a free port.

This island is divided into ten parishes. The
only towns of note are Charlotte Town or Ros-
seau, on the south-west side of the island, and
Portsmouth, at the head of Prince Rupert's Bay.
It yields coffee, indigo, ginger, and other articles
of West Indian produce. In the woods are innu-
merable swarms of bees, so that it is a land flowing
with honey : and it is well suppHed, if not with
rivers, yet with streams of water. It has no con-
siderable bay or harbour, but the anchorage round
tlie coast is safe and commodious, and its capes
furnish ships with shelter. It lies between Gua-
daloupe and Martinico, and nearly at an equal
distance from each.

As to religion, Christianity was first intro-
duced into this island in a popish dress, by the
French inhabitants. And when it was finally
ceded to the Biitish crown in 1783, the Romish
church 'was completely predominant. But from
tliat time, a partial establishment of the protes-
tant faith, according to the rites of the Church of
England, took place, which gradually gained
ground.

In January, 1787, Dr. Coke, accompanied
by three missionaries, sailed from Antigua to
Dominica, with a design to establish, or prepare
the way for a mission. Having got a hint
about a Mr. Burn, who was favourable to the
gospel, the Doctor and his companions repaired to
his house, and met with a courteous reception. —
He expressed much satisfaction at the proposal for
appointing a missionary, and said he woidd gladly
entertain him.

14. 3 G

4:18 LIFE OF DIl. COKE.

The Doctor preaclied in a private house in
Rosseau, and a considerable number attended. —
But there appeared to be too many difficidties and
obstacles in tlie way to attempt to establish a
mission at this time. But nearly two years after,
Dr. Coke visited Dominica again, accompanied
by some missionaries. Notice being had of their
coming, a Mrs. Webley, formerly of Antigua,
liad hired a large room. The Doctor waited upon
his excellency, Governor Orde, to inform him of
the intention of establishing a mission in the
island ; and he shewed great respect and affabilit}'.
Dr. Coke and jMr. Baxter preached each twice :
they also visited several places in the coinitry ; and
thought the probabilities of success to be such as to
justify the attempt. And of those who had formerly
been JMethodists in Antigua, and a few others,
they formed a society of twenty members, who
seemed desirous of being saved. A missionary of
the name of JM' Cornock immediately took his
station in Dominica, and began to labour with
zeal. JNIultitudes flocked to hear him ; many re-
ceived the word with joy ; and a great and lasting
blessing attended his preaching. He was instant
in season and out of season ; and in a few months
lie had a society of one hundred and fifty members,
wdio were in earnest to flee from the wrath to come.
But he over-worked himself, and shortly died :—
and several years elapsed before this mission could
be re-established. Yet many retained their stead-
fastness, and were found as lights in a benighted
land, when Mr. Cook, in the year 1794, was
appointed to renew tlic mission. But it was not
louix before the jrovernor ordered his successor to
quit the island. In a few months, however, the
mission vv^as again restored, but for some time
was at a very low^ ebb.

In 1800, the prospects had so far brightened,

LIFE OF DR. COKE. 419

that another chapel was thought necessary. In
1803 the society consisted of one hnndred and
three members, of whom only nine were whites.
Abont this time, Mr. Boocock sailed from Eng-
land, as a missionary for Dominica, and was much
debilitated with an unpleasant voyage. He only
preached twice, and then died of a putrid fever.
Mr. Thomas Richardson, who was employed in
the mission about this time, gave an interesting
description of the island and its inhabitants. —
" The islands," said he, " in general, are very
mountainous ; and none, perhaps, more so than
Dominica. To describe the hills, rocks, and pre-
cipices, would require an abler pen than mine.
They really have a terrific appearance. This island
is only cultivated near the sea. Probably nine
parts out of ten remain in a state of rude nature,
and are chiefly covered with forests, trees, and
brush-wood. The houses are chiefly built of wood ;
and instead of glass they have lattices, which
exclude the heat of the sun, and let in the air.— -
Chimnies they have none, having no occasion for
fire. All their cookery is performed in out-houses ;
and their washing near tlie wells or streams of
water.

" The slaves are in a better condition tlian the
free coloured people, having a weekly allowance
of salt provisions, two suits of clothes in the year,
and a sufiiciency of land to plant for their own
use. But their morals are in a deplorable state.
Tiie Lord's day is scandalously profaned. On this
solemn day the stores are all open as on other
days. On this day the negroes bring their provi-
sions to market, and afterwards spend their time
in music and dancing, till called to work the next
morning. Except on Sundays, the black men go
half naked ; but on the Sabbath they dress like the
Enghsh, with the exception of shoes and stockings.

420 LiT^E or dh. coke.

Tlie black women generally wear a handkerchief
roimd the head, instead of a cap ; and a few have
hats instead of bonnets. Gowns, stays, stockings
and shoes, are not in use ; but they look very well
in their white muslin jackets and petticoats. In
my excursions through the countr}% I have found
the people ripe for the gospel, and much readier
to receive it than the poor in England. Some
have told me, that they formerly walked thirty
miles to get instructed in the christian religion,
and have continued to serve the Lord from the
first time they heard a sermon. In some places
where they have no preaching at all, they have
erected commodious little small houses for prayer.
Some have been severely punished for attending
these meetings; but it has had no other effect
than to make them more vigorous in serving God.
I have really been astonished at the propriety and
power with which they have spoken of the Lord's
dealings with their souls. Oli ! if the young men
in England did but know how these poor heathen
pant after, and tliirst for, the gospel of Christ,
they would not be so reluctant to lea^e their coun-
try, to help a wretched people who are gi'oaning
for redemption.

In 1803, the missionaries had permission to
preach on most of the estates in the island : and
on the Lord's day the people came many miles to
hear the word. Their bounds were so enlarged,
that they divided the island into two circuits. —
Their chief places of residence were about thirty
miles from each other. They changed stations
about once a month, passing and re -passing by sea.
The number in society was then about seven hun-
dred ; and the Lord was adding to them daily such
as were likely to be saved. The increase was so
rapid, that JNIr. Richardson joined fifty-nine to the
i^ociety on one day. But, so mysterious are the

I.IFE OF DR. COKE. 421

ways of God, though they cannot be otherwise
than right and good, that this promising yoimg
man was called away by death in the midst of his
usefulness. In such instances as this, the xvays of
God arc yast finding out.

INIr. Shepley, the other missionary in this
island, joined to the society at Prince Rupert's
Bay, where ISIr. Richardson died, one hundred
and thirty people in ten days. In less than twelve
months he could say, *' 1 found but fifty in society
in the whole island ; and now we have nine liun-
dred." Nearly five hundred of these were added
at Prince Rupert's Bay. But one of the mission-
aries dying, and the other leaving the island in ill
health, the mission was left for a time in a forlorn
condition.

JNIr. John Hanshaw, who was sent to establish
a mission in Demarara, liaving been baffled in his
design, by the intolerant and despotic opposition
of the governor, came to Dominica; and after
preaching there with much success and personal
satisfjiction, he was carried off in the same w^ay as
jMr. Richardson.

I shall conclude this article by saying, that
the return of the number in society in Dominica,
in 1814, was 710 blacks, and only one white
person.

Antigua.

This island is situated 17. 5. north latitude,
and 62. 5. west longitude from London. It is
60 miles S. E. of St. Christopher's, and, nearly
at an equal distance from each, between Guada-
loupe and Dominica. It is about 20 miles long,
and nearly the same broad.

When Columbus discovered this island, it
was deemed unfit for an European settlement ; for

4-2 I.IFE OF DR. COKE.

it was foiiRcl to be totally without rivers or springs,
and the art of preserving rain water in cisterns
was then unknown. This was the principal reason
why Antigua remained uninhabited for more than
a century after it was discovered. The chief part
of the water there used is saved in cisterns, and
the rest is fetched from other islands. Antigua
is very rocky ; has excellent habours ; contains
about 60,000 acres of land, on which are 6 towns
and villages ; and a ]iopulation of 6000 whites and
36,000 negroes. The chief produce is sugar, of
wdiich 16,000 hogsheads are produced annually.
The capital, St. John's, has a royal naval yard, and
arsenal, with conveniences for careening ships
of war.

In the year 1639, a small number of French
planters, being molested in St. Christopher's, at-
tempted an establislnnent in Antigua, which they
foiuid totally uninhal^ited. But they soon aban-
doned it. About tlie year 1632, some Englishmen
settled here ; preserved rain water in cisterns, and
employed themselves in the cultivation of tobacco.
In the year 1610 the inhabitants vrerc more than
30 families : and from this period the population
gradually increased. But when England and
France were at ^v^-ar, in 1666, the French govern-
ment of Martinico invaded and pillaged this
island. The desolations created by the enemy
Avere so great, that the island was reduced nearly
to its original rude condition. But in 1671, or
1676, Colonel Codrington, of Barbadoes, purchased
ii considerable quantity of land in Antigua, and
l)ecame a cojisiderable planter. Soon after this, he
A\as appointed conmiander-in-chief and ca])tain-
general of all the British Leeward Charaibean
islands ; most of tliem having been indebted for
their nourishing condition to his patriotic zeal, and
great skill in airiiculture and commerce. And

LIFE OF DE. COKE. 423

most of tlie lands which were adapted to tlie
growth of sugar, ^v^cre, under his direction, appro-
priated to its cultiA'ation.

Besides the want of rivers and springs, An-
tiffua labours under another m-eat disadvantaoe,
ail uncommonly dry atmosphere. The inhabitants
are often in distress for water, which they then
import at great expence. The temperature of the
atmosphere is extremely irregular : and the inha-
bitants are very subject to fevers and the glandula7'
disease.

The legislative and executive authorities of
Antigua resemble those of the other British colo-
nies. They are vested in a governor, a council
consisting of twelve members, and a house of
assembly composed of twenty -five persons, who
represent the people. A certain landed property
in the island is necessary to confer a qualification.
None but freeholders can elect them to their office.
These legislators have honourably distingidshed
themselves, by introducing some important
amendments into the jm-isprudence of the island,
which have tended to soften the hardships of the
slaves. And regulations of a similar nature were
afterwards instituted in many of the other colonies.
But I now proceed to mention the one thing
needfal, I mean, true religion.

A parish church was built pretty early in St.
John's. But we are not able to learn any thing
of moment respecting religion in Antigua, till the
^Moravian Brethren established a mission there, iii
the year 1756. Though the progress of the gos-
pel has not been so very rapid nor the effects quite
so striking as in some other places, yet many
negroes have received the word of atonement with
joy, and have been made experimental partakers
of the redemption v/bich is in Christ. The Bre-
thren soon erected a chapel and a house in St.

45i LIFE OF DR. COKE.

Joliii's, where many negroes began constantly to
attend the preaching; and the missionaries liad
soon an opcji door into several plantations in the
country.

Indeed, the success which has attended the
exertions of the IVIoravian Brethren in Antigua
has been great and uninterrupted. A spirit of
hearing was excited among the negroes, from the
commencement of the mission, which has conti-
nued to the present. Their masters countenance
their assemblies, and see them to be to their own
advantage.

In 1787 the INloravian congregations in
Antigua amounted to no fewer than 5,465 negra
slaves, many of whom, they had reason to believe,
were genuine christians. And since that time,
then' annual accounts have exhibited a pleasing^
aspect.

At the close of the year 1791, the two con-
gregations at St. John's and Gracehill consisted of
upwards of seven thousand four hundred persons,
besides many, whom they called new people, who
constantly attended public worship. The number
of the Moravian missionaries then on the island
was only five. From Easter, 1791, to Easter,
]79^^ they baptized 640 at Gracehill and St.
John's. And this mission still exists and continues
to prosper. Their congregations are still larger,
and their preaching of the word is still attended
with much fruit : and the United Brethren in
Antigua live in peace and harmony, not only
with the clergy of the Church of England, but
more especially with the Methodist missionaries.
Tlie Brethren have cheerfidly assisted the JMetho-
dist missionaries in jwomoting the infant work of
God among the negroes. The arrival of any of
these missionaries they considered as acquisitions
to the cause in which they were engaged ; and

LIFE OF DR. COKE. 425

they afforded them a kind reception, and treated
them as fellow-labourers in the common vineyard
of the Lord. The shades of difference which
subsisted in opinions were lost in nobler views,
that they were evangelical ministers of Jesus
Christ.

Antigua was the first scene of missionary
exertions among the Methodists. It was here that
the work first took root. From hence a variety
of branches have spread themselves into other
colonies; and the event has been, that many
thousands have been turned from darkness to
light, and from the power of Satan unto God.

In the year 1760, Nathaniel Gilbert, Esq. a
resident of Antigua, heard the gospel in England,
and felt something of its saving power. Upon
his return home, he began to exhort on Sundays
in his own house. He had instant and visible suc-
cess. This induced him to enlarge his sphere of
action : and though he was no less a person than
the speaker of the house of assembly, he waxed
bold in the cause of Christ, and zealously preached
the gospel to the negroes. This brought on him
the contempt and insults of some, but none of
these things moved him. He soon joined about
200 in christian fellowship, most of whom mani-
fested that they had not received the grace of God
in vain.

In this way, Mr. Gilbert continued to labour
without abatement of ardour or success, till he
died, and went to receive his reward. His spiri-
tual children were then left as sheep without shep-
herd. Some turned back to perdition ; some grew
lukewarm ; while others held fast the begmning
of their confidence.

In 1778, Mr. John Baxter, a shipwright in
the royal dock at Chatham, was sent by govern-
lA ' 3 H

426 LIFE OF DR. COKE.

ment to work for the king in English harbours.
He had been a member of the INIethodist society
about twelve years : and he had been a class-leader
and an exhorter for some time previous to his
going to the West Indies.

His own account of his arrival in Antigua, I
shall here insert :—

" OnThm-sday, April 2, 1778," says he, "I
arrived at English Harbour. On Friday, the Sd,
I went to St. John's and waited on JNIr. H.
who received me kindly. The next day ^Ir.
H. "tvrent with me to see our friends. The work
that God began by Mr. Gilbert is still remaining.
The black people have been kept together by two
black women, who have continued praying and
meeting with those who attended, every night. —
I preached to about thirty on Saturday night :
on Sunday morning to about the same number ;
and in the afternoon of the same day to about four
or five hundred." He informed ^Ir. Wesley,
*' The old standers desire that I would inform you
that you have many children in Antigua, whom you
never saw. I hope we shall have an interest in
your prayers, and that our christian friends will
pray for us. Last Saturday I again visited St.
John's, and preached to a fashionable company
of white women, while the back room was full of
blacks, who are athirst for the gospel. On the
following day I preached to a large concourse
of people, that filled both the house and the
yard."

INIr. Baxter being daily employed in the dock
yards, had no whole day at liberty for the work
of the ministry, except the Sabbath. But he tra-
velled out in the evenings, and preached on the
different plantations, and then returned home
through those heavy dews wliich are so pernicious

LIFE OF DR. COKE. 427

in that climate. And he had also to endure re-
proach for the sake of Christ.

At this time Antigua was in a state of great
calamity. There was no rain for some months ;
the groimd was parched up ; there were scarcely
any crops for three years : the negroes had not a
sufficiency of even water to drink ; and had
nothing allowed them to eat, but a pint of horse-
beans a day. But with many of them the afflic-
tion worked for good. Six hundred of them
joined the society, and were earnest in the use of
the means of grace, some of them coming three
or four miles, after the labours of the day, to hear
the preaching at 8 o'clock on the week-day even-
ings ; and on Sundays many came seven or ten
miles bare-footed to meet their classes.

JNIr. Baxter appointed a day of fasting and
prayer for rain; and while they were assembled
and calling upon God, he poured floods upon tlie
dry grounds and abundantly refreshed their souls
at the same time.

In sundry parts of the island, the Lord
opened doors for the preaching of the gospel. —
But the Avork of religion was deep but in very few,
though visible in many.

In 1783 JSIr. Baxter opened a new chapel:
and JNIrs. Gilbert, returning from England to An-
tigua, greatly helped him in the work of the Lord.
And this was the more important, as for a number
of years Mr. Wesley could not send any missionary
thither. But by an extraordinary providence, a
family was brought thither from Ireland, the
father of whom was useful in leading classes and
exhorting. And through the superintendence of
INIr. Baxter, the assistance of Mrs. Gilbert, and
the help of the old Irish emigrant, the work went
on prosperously; so that they had under their
care more than a thousand members, chiefly
blacks, who were in earnest to be saved.

428 LIFE OF DR. COKE.

In tins way things went on till the year 1786,
when Dr. Coke and three missionaries, on a voyage
to Nova-Scotia, were driven by stress of weather,
and adverse winds, to Antigua. One of the mis-
sionaries, indeed, JMr. Warrenner, was designed
ultimately for thi^ island. After landing in Nova-
Scotia, he was intended to take shippnig for this
island.

It is mentioned elsewhere, how the Doctor
and his companions landed at St. John's on Christ-
mas-day, and met Mr. Baxter in the street, going
to perform divine service. Here the Doctor seemed
to be quite at home ; and was much pleased with
liis congregations, and more especially with the
appearance of the blacks. " The negro-women,"
says he, " were dressed in white linen gowns, pet-
ticoats, handkerchiefs, and caps ; which, from their
unsullied whiteness, formed, when compared with
the jetty complexion of the wearers, a most sin-
gular contrast. The negro-men were all dressed
nearly as neatly ; and discovered a degree of taste
and elegance, which could only be expected from
men in a more exalted sphere of life.

While Dr. Coke was now in Antigua, he
and the missionaries received cards of invitatioii
from the merchants of St. John's, to dine with
Prince William Henry, now Duke of Clarence,
who tlien happened to be in the island as captain
of a frigate. The Doctor, Mr. Baxter, and one
of the missionaries, went. And, while they were
at dinner, a respectable gentleman intimated to
the Doctor, that if five hundred a year would
detain him on the island, he should not leave it.
The Doctor thanked the gentleman for the gener-
ous intimation; but praised God, that so many
thousands a year would not seduce Jiim from his
line of duty and sphere of usefulness in the church
«f Christ.

LIFE OF DR. COKE. 429

The providential compulsion which brought
Dr. Coke to Antigua at that time, led to the
establishment of a mission ; to the introduction of
the gospel into other islands ; and to the firm and
lasting establishment of many cliristian societies
in those remote regions.

In February, 1789, the Doctor again visited
Antigua: and at tliat time there were 2800
members of the Methodist society, and 2000 be-
longing to the JNloravians. He found the congre-
gations to be large, decent, and solemn, while
many enjoyed genuine Christianity. And during
the three years he had been there, Mr. Warrenner
had been so useful as to add not less than a thou-
sand members to the society. The society loved
one another, and were pitiful and tender-hearted
one towards another.

In February, 1793, Dr. Coke paid his last
visit to Antigua, and held a conference of five
days with the missionaries of that and the neigh-
bouring islands. The resolutions then made liave
since proved very useful.

Ey the returns which were made at this con-
ference from the different islands, the total num-
ber was 6570 ; and of this number 2470 resided
in Antigua. Of this company in Antigua, 36
only were whites, 105 persons of colour, and the
rest were blacks. The blacks, through all the
islands, almost uniformly constitute the chief part
of the converts : they pay the greatest attention,
and get the greatest blessings.

The good work continued to prosper, and
chiefly under the superintendence of JNIr. Baxter,
till God called him to a better world, in Novem-
ber, 1805. He was a holy, zealous, and useful
man of God.

In the year 1808, the number in society in
Antigua was 20 whites, and 2809 coloured peo-
ple and blacks.

430 LIFE OF 1)11. COKE.

In 1811 the return was 2645, of whom 27
only were whites.

In 1812 the total number was only 2407.

In 1813 they were still fewer, being only
2285.

In 1814 tlie number returned was, whites,
a9, blacks, 2718. Total 2737.

Nevis.

This little island is situated in 17. 14. north
latitude, and 62. 95. west longitude from Green-
wich. It is divided from the east end of St.
Christopher's by a narrow channel. It is small,
but fruitful and beautiful. It is little more than
a single mountain, high in the middle, and
abounding in large trees up to the very top. —
From the sea, its sloping sides appear to rise with
an easy ascent, till its elevated summit terminates in
a point, and mixes with the clouds. It is easily
discoverable at a considerable distance ; and looks
like a conical pillar emerging from the ocean to
support the skies. It has springs of fresh water,
and a hot bath, much of the same nature as at Bath
in England. Its capital is Charles Town. It is
said to produce on an average one hogshead per
acre of sugar, and about 4000 hogsheads in the
whole. The mmiber of the inhabitants is about
6000 whites, and about 10,000 negroes.

Unhappily for the settlers on this fertile spot,
sometimes the waters, issuing from the upper parts
of the island, in stormy seasons, swell into
impetuous torrents, and in their progress towards
the sea, sweep away the plantations in a general
wreck.

Of its ancient history scarcely any notice has
been taken by English writers, in their accounts
of the British settlements in the West Indies. —

LIFE OF DH COKE. 431

Fi'om the period of its discoveiy, it lias hardly
furnished any historical record of any importance.
It was about the year 162S, that some of our
contrymen, under the protection and by the
assistance of Sir Thomas Warner, began a settle-
ment in this island. Sir Thomas Warner intro-
duced into this colony men of industry, probity,
and virtue. These excellencies established the
inhabitants on a firm and lasting basis. The force
of example tended to confer on the rising genera-
tions similar dispositions and habits.

In 1640, according to Ilaynal, the population
amounted to 10,000 whites, and 20,000 blacks. —
But it is highly probable that this is aii exag-
geration.

The annually increasing prosperity of Nevis
continued near half a century. Eut in 1689, a-
dreadful mortality swept off one-half of the inha-
bitants. And in 1706, it was invaded by the
French, who plundered it, and carried off between
three and four thousand slaves, and sold tliem in
ISfartinico. The following year the ruin of the
island was nearly completed by one of the most
furious hurricanes recorded in history.

It required many years of great industry, and
the assistance of the benevolent in England, to
recover the little colony of Nevis to its former
prosperous state.

In one of his missionary voyages Dr. Coke
visited Nevis, in January, 1787. He and his com-
panions were received with great civility; but
there did not appear any opening for the preaching
of the gospel. Though they had letters of recom-
mendation, they appeared to be useless.

Contrary, however, to expectation, it was
not long before Mr. Hammett, a missionary in
St. Christopher's, received an invitation from a
Mr. Brazier, a member of the assembly, to come

432 LIFE OF DR. COKE*

and preach to the negroes in Nevis. And another
gentleman, soon after, invited him to come and
preach in his house in Charlestown, the principal,
or ratlier, the only town in the island.

It was not, however, till 1789, that a mission
was established there. A small society was
speedily formed; things wore an encouraging
aspect, and shortly a chapel ^vas built.

In 1793 Dr. Coke paid the island of Nevis
his last, though transient visit. He found the
inhabitants were friendly to the gospel, and that
the labours of the missionaries had been made a
blessing to many. An ingathering had taken
place, the gospel was advancing in respectability,
and the congregations had increased both in num-
bers and attention.

The gospel continued to flourish in this little
island; and the missionaries were treated with
great attention and respect. Hence Mr. Brownell,
who v/as stationed there, wrote to Dr. Coke, say-
ing, " We are at present on a more respectable
footing in Nevis tl^n in any other island in the
West Indies, except Antigua. The gentlemen
frequently invite us to their houses, and behave
with great civility." There were, however, some
opposers and persecutors. This was partly occa-
sioned by the exertions that were now making in
England for the abolition of the slave trade; a
measure to which the planters thought the Metho-
dists were aiding and assisting. And in this they
thought justly. INIr. Brownell and the society
were in considerable danger from lawless and
violent mobs. But the government afforded them
protection. The society, meantime, flourished
exceedingly ; and the congregations so increased,
that they were obliged to enlarge the chapel.

From this period, nothing remarkable occur-
red in the religious history of Nevis for some con-

LIFE OF DR. COKE. 433

siderable time. Things went regularly and com-
fortably on.

In May, 1799, Mr. Brownell wrote to Br.
Coke, " Amidst the difficulties which assail us,
God acknowledges the endeavours of his servants.
We have now nearly seven hundred members in
society. The way to future success is now pointed
out before us. To the places where we have little
chapels of our own, the negroes will resort from
the distances of five or six miles. And from the
prospects which at present lie before us, and from
the stability which the mission has acquired, we
look forwards with sanguine expectations. Many,
very many slaves in this island, raise towards
heaven their lifted hands, and with hearts full of
gratitude and love, bless God for sending his gos-
pel among them. And scanty as their words and
ideas are, they sometimes express themselves in a
most affecting manner on the occasion, and even
bless the very ship wliich brought over the first
ministers among them. This they do with so
much artless simplicity, as frequently to draw tears
from the eyes of those who hear them declare what
God has done for their souls."

Some time after the above letter was
written, a persecution began about some land be-
longing to the chapel being made into a burying
ground. Some who lived near indicted this as a
nuisance. But a pious gentleman purchased the
premises of the plaintiff, which put an end to the
dispute.

In May, 1801, the society in Nevis amounted
to 800 members, and the congregations were large.
The societies would have been larger, but that
many of the planters, who were not enemies to
religion, or the mission, were nevertheless preju-
diced against class-meetings. And the unfa vour-
14. 8 1

434 LIFE OF DR. COKE.

able impressions which they had respecting those
meetings, induced some of them to prohibit their
slaves from attending them. .

In May, 1802, the society consisted 6f eight
whites, and nine hundred coloured and black
people. This is to be understood of those in and
about Charlestown only ; for in the different coun-
try societies, in this small island, there were about
fifteen hundred more.

Early in the year 1805, Nevis, in conjunc-
tion with the neighbouring islands, was invaded
by the French. The Methodists had their share of
this general calamity.

In 1808 the jklethodists had two chapels in
Nevis, two missionaries and one local preacher :
and the society amounted to 1376 members; of
whom only 18 were whites. Yet among these 18
whites some were of considerable respectability
and influence, who both sanctioned by their
presence, and honoured by their conduct, the word
of eternal life.

The number in society after this became
somewhat reduced, and continued so for several
years. However, there has been a large increase
again, and the annual report for the year 1814
says there are 1300 members in the Methodist
society in Nevis.

St. Christopher's, or St. Kitt's.

This is one of the Charaibee and Leeward
Islands, about 54 miles north-west of Antigua.
It is twenty miles long, and seven broad. There
are high mountains in the middle of it, from
whence rivulets flow, which are of great service
to the inhabitants. Between the mountains are
rocks, precipices, and thick woods; and in the
south-west, there are hot sulphureous springs.

LIFE OF DR. COKE. 435

The air is good, and the soil hght, sandy, and
fruitful; it is, however, subject to hurricanes.
It is divided into nine parishes and contains four
towns or hamlets. The white inhabitants are
computed at four thousand, and the negroes at
twenty-six thousand. The produce is chiefly
sugar. The general average of this article, for a
series of years, is sixteen thousand hogsheads, of
sixteen hundred weight each. But it yields also
cotton, ginger, indigo, and the tropical fruits.
It is situated in 17. 15. nortli latitude, and 63. 14.
west longitude,

The general aspect of St. Christopher's is
pncommonly beautiful.

A party of Knglish adventurers landed in St.
Christopher's in January, 1623, They raised a
crop of tobacco : but a dreadful hurricane almost
demolished their plantation.

The inhabitants soliciting assistance from their
friends in England, the Earl of Carlisle fitted out
21 ship, and loaded her with provisions necessary
for their relief, and with implements of husbandry
for cultivating the land. The ship arrived in
safety ; and soon after more adventurers arrived
from England. About this time a French priva-
teer put in here, under a pretence, that the native
Charaibees were about to rise and take vengeance
on them ; the English and the French fell upon
them in the dead of the night, and murdered in
cold blood about 120 of their stoutest and bravest
warriors. The remaining males precipitately left
the island ; while the assassins of tlieir country-
men detained the most beautiful of their young
women. The Charaibees of the neighbouring
islands espoused the quarrel of the injured; and a
large body entered St. Christopher's, breathing
revenge and slaughter. They fought with great
bravery, and for a while victory seemed doubtful.

436 LIFE OF DPw COKE.

At last, however, oppression, aided by European
arms and discipline, triumphed over the oppressed
natives, who sunk into despair, and totally aban-
doned the island.

After a number of new adventurers had
arrived both from England and France, the island
was equally divided between the natives of both
countries.

But in 1629, the Spaniards, who uniformly
laid claim to those islands, and considered other
European nations as intruders there, invaded St.
Christopher's, with a force which the united efforts
of the English and French could not resist. The
English fled to the moimtains, and the French to
Antigua. The English being compelled to uncon-
ditional submission, six hundred of their stoutest
men were condemned to the mines; and the
remainder, consisting chiefly of women and chil-
dren, were ordered instantly to quit the island.
Their houses were then demolished, and their
plantations destroyed, and the scene of desolation
abandoned.

Thus were the p^nglish and French punished,
by divine permission, for their cruelty to the native
Charaibees.

Those who had been compelled to leave the
island retinned, and for a while they lived in
peace and union. But the French soon grew
envious of the rapid prosperity of the English,
and war breaking out between England and
France in 1666, the French in St. Christopher's
proceeded to open hostilities. For nearly half a
century, the island was a prey to discord and con-
fusion, war and bloodshed. Both parties were
alternately the strongest and the weakest, and by
turns quitted and returned. In 1702 the French
were totally overcome and driven from the island.
In 1705 they retuiTied >vith reinforcements, and

LIFE OF DR. COKE. 437

made a vigorous attack. They committed great
depredations; but tliey were compelled to retire.
The parliament voted the sum of one hundred and
three thousand pounds, to enable the English
colonists to renew their ruined buildings and plan-
tations. And at the peace of Utrecht, in 1713,
the whole island was ceded in perpetuity to Eng-
land. The lands, formerly belonging to the French,
were confiscated and sold to reimburse the Eng-
lish sufferers. After this, the island enjoyed
general tranquillity, till it M^as assailed and cap-
tured by the French in 1782. But by the defi-
nitive treaty of peace, made in September,
the same year, it was restored to the British
croAvn.

The climate of St. Christopher's has always
been deemed remarkably healthful. To this the
light and porous soil, spread over a bed of sand,
has greatly contributed, by absorbing the rains,
which would otherwise stagnate, and breed pesti-
lential diseases. In springs and mines the whole
island is rather deficient.

In its legislative departments, St. Christo-
pher's bears a strong resemblance to the other
West India islands. Its house of representatives
consists of twenty -four members, and the council
of ten. Antigua is the residence of the governor-
general, and St. Christopher's annually contributes
a tliousand pounds currency towards his salary. —
The quadrupeds and birds of this island have
scarcely any thing to distinguish them from those
of the others, except a species of monkey. These
are very small ; but they assemble in large troops,
and frequently sally forth, and do great mischief
to the sugar-canes.

It was not among the early attempts of the
^Moravians to establish missions, that they visited
St Cliristophcr's. However, such were their re-

438 LIFE OF DR. COKE.

ception and encouraging prospects, that in 1789
they began to build a chapel, which they finished
the year following. The dedication of this place
of worship was attended with a pecular blessing.
Seventeen negroes were then baptized ; three bap-
tized ones were taken into fellowship, and twenty-
five were added to the candidates for baptism.; —
The day was closed by the sixty communicants
partaking of the Lord's Supper.

In 1790, the congregation of believing
negroes, under the care of the Brethren, were
nearly three hundred, besides a hundred more
who constantly attended divine service. And
in the following years, prosperity continued to
attend this mission. From that period to the
present, their labours have been abundantly
blessed.

In January, 1787, Dr. Coke, accompanied
by three missionaries, sailed from the island of
Dominica for St. Christopher's, designing to estab-
lish a mission there. They found an open door.
Some of the inhabitants had provided them a
lodging, and a house in which to preach. They
found, at least, two truly pious persons, who
treated them with great kindness.

They preached, and the general appearance
of the congregation was such as to indicate that
the inhabitants were ripe for the gospel, and that
a mission might be established with every proba-
bility of success. They were invited to preach in
the Court-House of Basseterre, the capital. They
complied with the request ; had large and attentive
congregations; and six or seven of the principal
gentlemen invited them to their houses, among
whom was the established clergyman of the parish.
ISlany of the inhabitants immediately joined,
and rented a house for Mr. Hammett, the mis-
sionary, to reside and preach in.

LIFE OF DR. COKE. 439

In the space of two years Mr. Hammett was
enabled to raise a society of seven hundred mem-
bers: of whom, there was reason to beUeve, the
greater part were members of the mystical body
of Christ. And among these were two local
preachers, able and willing to labour in the work
of the Lord.

In 1789, and again in 1792, Dr. Coke visited
this island, and was much satisfied with the state
of religion. Genuine religion flourished like an
olive tree in the house of God : and his own mind
was greatly enlarged, refreshed, and animated. —
And ever since that time religion has continued to
flourish, under the fostering hand of the pious and
laborious missionaries who have been stationed
there.

In the year 1794 the number in the Me-
thodist society was, 1410 blacks, and 13 whites.

In 1795, when the French threatened to
invade this island, as well as Antigua, Mr. Baxter
was called on by the president and council of
Antigua to give his opinion, whether the slaves
would defend that island. He told them he was
firmly persuaded they would; and he and Mr.
Warrenner undertook to raise a corps of Metho-
dists, and to attend them as chaplains. The Mo-
ravian Brethren also raised a corps of their people.
Both societies united raised above a thousand
men. There was likewise raised a corps of slaves
in addition.

In the five succeeding years religion conti-
nued to flourish in St. Christopher's in an abun-
dant manner. The negroes were not tlie only
persons to whom the missionaries preached. The
white people also crowded the chapels, and heard
with deep attention.

In 1802 the number in society in this island
was, 2587.

440

LiFE OF DR. COlvE.

In 1803 JNIr. Erownell wrote to Dr. Coke as
follows : — " There has b^en a great ingathering of
souls since this time the last year, at Basseterre,
Old Road, and Sandy Point. And what may
be deemed remarkable, the whites and coloiired
people chiefly have found peace with God. Many
of them experience redemption through the blood
of Christ, even the forgiveness of sins, and bring
forth the fruits of a real conversion, in a holy life,
and heavenly conversation. There is a visible
gi-owing in grace; and not a few blacks relate
what God has done for tfceir souls, Avith such
plain, such artless simplicity, as immediately
reaches and affects the hearts of those that hear
them."

At this period, it was believed, that genuine
religion flourished in this island more than in any
other in the West Indies. The number in society
in 1805 in St. Christopher's was, whites, 35:
coloured and blacks, 2473.

In 1807, the number returned was, whites,
34 : coloured people and blacks, 2S25.

In 1808, whites, 28: coloured people and
blacks, 2299.

26

whites, 26

In 1809, whites
blacks, 1925.

In 1810,
blacks, 2053.

In 1811, whites, 31
blacks, 2322.

In 1812, whites, 26
blacks, 2093.

In 1813
blacks, 2132.

In 1814, whites,
blacks, 2652.

whites, 30

40

coloured people and
coloured people and
coloured people and
coloured people and
coloured people and
coloured people and

LIFE OF DR. COKE. 441

St. Bartholomew's.

This is one of the Charaibee Islands, and is
situated about 30 miles to the north of St. Chris-
topher's. It is about 24 miles in circumference,
and has a convenient harbour. Its chief products
for exportation are drugs, lignum-vitae, tobacco,
cassava, and limes. In 1785, the French ceded
this island to the Swedes, who still retain it. It
lies in 17. 56. north latitude, and 63. 10. west
longitude.

It was not till the 17th century, that any
attempt was made by Europeans to colonize the
little island of St. Bartholomew. This was done
by some French people. Fifty French families
went from St. Christopher's, in 1648, and were
the first inhabitants of St. Bartholomew's. And
from the period of its discovery to the year 1785,
it belonged to the French.

As to religion in this island, I find no traces
of any, till about the year 1797, when the Metho-
dists formed a small society, and began to build a
chapel. Shortly after the society amounted to
130 ; 109 blacks, 20 people of colour, and 1 white
man. Persecution would have raged, but that
the government did not countenance it. The
Swedes tolerate and protect all sects of christians.
In this island, the ministers of every denomina-
tion are permitted to baptize, marry, and bury,
and to perform whatever belongs to their office.
But the keeping of a school in this island was a
condition imposed by the governor on the mis-
sionary residing in it. This was useful; but it so
confined the missionary that he could not suffi-
ciently extend his labours to the inhabitants of the
country parts of the colony.

14. 3 K

442 LIFE OF DE. COEE.

The common variations attended the society ;
but upon the whole, it continued to flourish. —
And tills would have been abundant had it not
been for the following circumstance :-*— The island
being originally peopled by France, and afterwards
ceded to Sweden, most of the inhabitants speak
the languages of these two nations. French is
almost wholly spoken in the country ; and in the
town, that and Swedish are spoken promiscuously.
Those who speak English are but few ; yet it is
to these that the society and congregation have
been confined ; which affords a sufficient reason
why neither of them have been much enlarged.

When the British forces took possession of
this island in 1804, they occupied the chapel with
their troops for several months; by which the
society and the school w^ere nearly ruined. The
chapel was so damaged as to be unfit for public
worship, without a thorough repair. The colonel
of the troops promised a certain sum of money
as a recompence, but in performance he was
deficient.

Religion, however, continued to flourish ;
and many of their meetings were times of re-
freshing.

The invasion of the island had reduced the
society to 50 or 60 members ; but in 1806 the
number was augmented to 200. But after this,
the being afflicted with a hurricane, and want of
rain for two or three years, brought the inhabi-
tants into such distress, that hundreds of them
left the island ; some died for want ; and most of
the rest were greatly impoverished. The society
declined in number, though without sinking in
respectability. The congregation was considerably
blessed, and the society was reduced from 200 to
117 members. To those their afflictions seemed
to be sanctified.

llFE OF DR. COKE. 443

Some time after tliis, the society greatly in-
creased in this little island ; so that the return
to conference in 1814 was, Avhites, 16: blacks
and coloured people, 530 : total 546.

I now come to what are called the Virgin
Islands : —

And here first, Tortola.

These are about 40 in number. Several of
them belong to the English, and the rest to the
Danes and Spaniards.

These islands were discovered by Columbus,
in the year 1493. But being thought of little
value, they were immediately abandoned.

This irregular group of islands lies in about
18 degrees of north latitude, and between 63 and
64 degrees of west longitude from London.

In the year 1580, Sir Francis Drake sailed
through these islands.

In 1648, the Dutch Buccanniers made a set-
tlement on the island of Tortola, and erected a fort
for their protection against hostile assailants. Of
the island and fort they kept undisturbed posses-
sion for about eighteen years.

In the year 1666, another banditti, more pow-
erfld than the former, attacked them, seized their
possessions, and drove them from the island. —
These last adventurers were English, who pre-
tended to secure the island for the British crown.
How far they acted by authority, is uncertain. —
The English government, however, claimed
the island as a conquest, and it remained a British
colony.

In 1756 the inhabitants amounted to 1263
whites, and 6121 blacks. But it was not till the
year 1773, that they obtained the establishment

444 LIFE OF DR. COKE.

of a proper civil government, and then upon con-
dition of paying four and a half per cent, upon all
goods, commodities of the island, which should
be exported.

In that year, the governor-general of the Lee-
Avard Islands issued a proclamation, for convening
an assembly, a house of representatives of the
British Virgin Islands. They established the four
and a half per cent on the colony for ever ; and
granted an annuity of £400 currency towards
the salary of the governor-general of all the
islands.

The whole extent of the present population
of Tortola is about 11,000; 1300 are whites, and
the rest more or less of African colour, and are
chiefly slaves.

It IS an undeniable fact, that nothing was
ever attempted by the government of this island,
in its legislative capacity, to instruct the people
in the way to heaven. Not one building was ever
appropriated to divine worship, nor one mmister
ever appointed, from the commencement of the
colony to the present hour. The negroes, of con-
sequence, remained in heathenish darkness, and
most of the inhabitants lived without hope and
without God in the world.

Dr. Coke, being apprised of the condition of
Tortola, as to religion and morals, took the first
opportunity to endeavour to establish a mission
there; and, accompanied by some missionaries,
he landed in Tortola, in February, 1789- The
prospect appeared very favourable, the fields being
white unto the harvest. A similar prospect opened
in the neighbouring island of Santa Cruz,
which belongs to Denmark. And it was imme-
diately determined, that Mr. Hammett should for
the present divide his labours between those two.
islands. In Tortola, a large and flourishhig society

LIFE OF DR. COKE. 445

was soon raised. After the missionaries had
laboured for some time in this island, with con-
siderable success, a door was also opened to them
in Spanish Town, another of the Virgin Islands
belonging to England; and little societies were
formed in several of the smaller islands.

In 1793, Dr.. Coke paid another visit to Tor-
tola. He was much pleased with the success which
had attended the labours of the missionaries. In
that and the neighbouring islands, no fewer than
1400 had been joined in the society. Most of
these were evidently awakened out of the sleep of
sin, and not a few were savingly united to Christ.
And the congregations were large and attentive.

A warm persecution had been raised ; but
by the activity and prudence of Mr. Owens,
the missionary then labouring there, its violence
was soon abated, and finally extinguished.

The Doctor at this time held a conference in
Antigua. From the returns made at this meeting,
it appeared that it was chiefly among the negroes
that the great ingathering has been in Tortola. —
Of 1406, 6 only were whites, and the rest partly
coloured people and partly blacks.

Not long after this, Mr. Owens wrote from
Tortola to Dr. Coke as follows : — " In thi.s island
the work of the Lord prospers. Backsliders are
restored, sinners awakened, and God's children
established ; and what is equally matter of thanks-
giving, some are safely and triumphantly removed
to Abraham's bosom. The society increases in
number and grace. We have peace in all ouf
borders.

In the island called Spanish Town, also, the
mission prospered. Almost all the negroes joined
the society ; and the whites were civil, friendly,
anel attentive to the preaching. When we recol-
lect the state of the hihabitants of these islands

4'i6 LIFE OF DR. COKE.

about five years before, and the proofs of illumin-
ation and regeneration which now appeared, we
jnay exultingly exclaim, What hath God xcronght !

In 1794« there were about 2000 in the society
in Tortola, and between two and three hundred
in Spanish Town.

In 1795 the number in society in Tortola
was, 12 whites, and 2260 mulattoes and blacks :
and in Spanish Town, 2 whites, and 260 mulattoes
and blacks.

From Tortola and Spanish Town, the savour
of piety, and the possession of religious knowledge,
spread into the adjacent islands ; and considering
the small number of the inhabitants, many em-
braced the gospel.

In the month of May, 1796, the members in
society in the whole of the British Virgin Islands
were as follows : — In Tortola, 2642 ; in St. Peter's
Island, 49; in Jostvan Dykes, 76; in Spanish
Town, 299; in Anagada, 82; amounting in the
whole to more than 3000 souls.

In Spanish Towai, there was no place of
worship, till one was erected by and for the JNIe-
thodists in 1796. And to this was added a dwel-
ling-house.

As Mr. Isham, one of the missionaries, was
sailing from Tortola to Spanish Town, in 1797, a
French privateer pursued and captured the vessel
in which he sailed. He contrived to escape
on shore; but he lost all his books and clothes.

In these little islands religion has continued
to be attended witli considerable prosperity ; but
it does not appear that the numbers have ever
risen higher than those mentioned; and at present
they are not quite so many.

On the last day in December, 1805, IMr.
Brownell was furiously attacked and cruelly abused
while walking through one of the public streets

LIFE OF Dl^. COKE. 447

in Tortola. In the Methodist magazines for July
that same year, a letter had been inserted, said to
be from Mr. Brownell, in which it was said, " for-
nication, adultery, and neglect of all religion, are
reigning sins in this region." It was alleged, that
this letter was a libel on the public, and it was
resolved that the writer should be hunted out of
the community. A gentleman, so called, called
Mr. Brownell rascal and scoundrel ; struck him in
the face, first with a stick, and then with his fist ;
and then pulled him by the nose, and kicked him.
Another person struck him a violent blow on the
breast ; and a third made a severe cut in his head
with the but-end of a loaded horse-whip. It
was with some difficulty that he escaped imme-
diate murder, in the open street, and in the face
of day.

Mr. Brownell laid the affair before the grand
jury of the Virgin Islands ; but instead of finding
a bill for him, they found one against him. He
was arraigned at the bar ; but after sundry mali-
cious attempts to imprison and punish him, the
king's council thought light to quash the indict-
ment, to the great mortification of Mr. Brownell's
enemies.

The missionary report for 1809 said, *' In
Tortola, in Spanisli Town, and in the adjacent
islets, the work appears to flourish. The congre-
gations are large, attentive, serious, and respecta-
ble ; and the work seems to sink deeply into many
hearts. Our number in society amounts to 2S37,
of whom 52 are whites.

I shall only add upon tliis head, that tlie
return of members for 1814, for Tortola, &c. was,
whites, 81 ; and blacks and mulattoes, 2493 ; mak-
ing a total of 2574.

There are sundry other liitle islands in this
region, where the Methodists have not yet estab-

448 LIFE OF DR. COKE-

lished any mission. But in the Danish islands of
St. Thomas, St. Croix, and the St. Jan, the Mo-
ravians have long laboured, and that with consi-
derable success. In the year 1791, they baptized
222 adults : and the number of beUeving negroes
at that time under the care of their missionaries,
in all these three islands, was about 8000 ; since
then they have increased, and their present num-
ber is supposed to be 10,000.

After repeated applications to the Danish
government, the Methodists were given to under-
stand, that their missionaries must expect no
protection or toleration in the Danish West India
Islands.

In speaking of the West India Islands, we
must mention the Bahama Islands. These are
sometimes called Lacaya Islands. They are
situated to the south of Carolina, between 22 and
27 degrees of north latitude, and 73 and 81 of
west longitude. They extend along the coast of
Florida to the island of Cuba, and are said to be
three hundred in number, but mostly mere rocks.
Twelve of them, however, are pretty large and
fruitful: and the Island of Providence, though
not one of the largest, is esteemed the most valu-
able. The island of Bahama, which is the largest,
and gives name to the rest, is about 60 miles long,
and 9 broad. These islands are under the govern-
ment of England. The cotton seed, which has
been brought from Georgia hither, is found to be
w^ell adapted to the soil and climate. The quan-
tity of cotton exported is very large.

Some time elapsed after missions had been
introduced into the other British West India
Islands, before a mission was attempted in the
Bahamas. But when trial was made, many of the
inhabitants shewed a ready disposition to receive

LIFE OF DR COKE. 449

the gospel. From about the year 1806, the work
began to take a considerable spread. During the
first year of its establishment it was confined to
New Providence; and from this island it went
to some of the neighbouring ones. It met with
a favourable reception, and small societies of
serious and affectionate people were soon formed
in them.

In 1808, the number in society here was, 91
whites, and 148 blacks. These were zealous for
God, and bade fair to endure unto the end.

The annual report of the state of the missions,
for 1809, says, " In the Bahamas, as well as in the
Virgin Islands, religion appears to be venerated
by those who fill the most exalted stations. —
Though New Providence may be considered as
the principal of our labours, the mission is by no
means confined to this island. It extends to seve-
ral of the adjacent islets, on which solitary fami-
lies reside, or detached plantations are established.

In Wreck Sound we have more than 100
members in society, of whom no less than ninety
are whites. In all these places, so great is the
spirit of hearing, that we have not one place of
worship which is sufficiently large to contain the
congregation. And what is of more importance,
the people seem to hear for eternity. Since our
last report, the members of our society are nearly
doubled in number. We had then 148 : we have
now 255, of whom 111 are whites. Scattered,
however, as these are, up and down in the islands,
great exertions are required on the part of the
missionaries who labour in the Bahamas."

In 1811, the missionary report says, " In
Torpum Bay, the society has increased in number ;
and the members evidently appear to be growing
in grace. At Wreck Sound a new chapel has
been erected, and this, in a great measure, by the
15, 3 L

450 LIFE OF DU. COKE.

voluntary labour of the inhabitants, who willingly
employed their strength when they had no money
to bestow. In these places their meetings have
been attended with a peculiar unction from above;
and many have voluntarily testified that the Lord
is gracious. In the latter of these places, we are
informed, that the whole body of the people have
been brought out of gross darkness, and are
now united in the service of God. At Sa-
vannah Sound, also, the people have been
visibly reformed ; and, in short, in most places
where the gospel has been preached among
the people, its happy influence seems to have left
some lasting effects. In New Providenc6^ the work
wears a favourable aspect. Both in the east and
west end of Nassau, public worship is established,
and large, attentive, and respectable congregations
assemble, from a principle of reverence, and a
sense of duty. In this place also a new chapel is
wanted, and the building of it is already contem-
plated. Many of the inhabitants have contributed
largely towards it, and a spot of land is given by
a friend for the purpose ; but its final accomplish-
ment must depend upon an extensive liberality.—
Our whole number in these islands amounts to 277."
The report for 1812 says, "• In these islands
we know not which to admire most, the pleasing
prospects which are held out, or the happy accom-
plishment of former expectation. Both are great,
and both demand a tribute of praise. — In these
islands the attachment of the people to the inter-
est of the gospel is really astonishing. They seem
to contend with each other, not only for the faith
once delivered to the saints, but also for the
greatest degree of the love of God in their hearts.
In New Providence we have lately been enabled
to erect a chapel. The congregations which now
attend, are large, serious, and respectable. In
Eleutliera the preacliing of the word has been

LIFE OF DjI. coke. 451

received with peculiar pleasure, and crowned with
much success. JMany in this place have been led to
inquire the way to Zion, with their faces thither-
ward, and many have found peace with God. In
Wreck Sound a respectable society has been
raised up, which, for piety and christian love, may
equal any that can be found in the West Indies.
In Torpum Bay, and Savanna Sound, the people
have experienced much of the awakening power
of God, and not a few of them have enjoyed his
pardoning love : and such is their zeal and
attachment to the word of God, that many travel
several miles, through bogs and swamps, and
scale dangerous rocks and precipices, in order to
declare at the quarterly -meetings, what God has
done for their souls, and to hear others testify of
his mercy."

The report of 1813 gives an account of an
attempt to establish a mission in Harbour Island.
And in about two months, Mr. John llutledge,
the missionary, formed two small classes, one of
whites, and one of blacks. He found the island

in a state of ffreat ignorance and wickedness. —

■

Dancing, swearing, sabbath-breakmg, and drun-
kenness, prevailed greatly. There were more than
a thousand persons in the island, including whites
and blacks, and the latter especially were exceed-
ingly ignorant. They had a church, but had been
without any minister for some years.

The magistrate was very friendly; and the
officers of the soldiers stationed there, not only
attended themselves, but also advised their men
to attend the preaching.

The report for 1814 is also very satisfactory.
In New Providence religion was in high repute.
The congregations were large, respectable, and
attentive; and the society was in a flourishing
condition. JNIany members were added in a few

452 LIFE OF DR. COKE.

months, and the prospect of future success was
blooming.

The report says, " At Wreck Sound, Tor-
pum Bay, and Savanna Sound, we have large and
flourishing societies. In these places, which are
but thinly peopled, nearly all the inhabitants have
joined our society, among whom many have found
redemption in the blood of Christ. These con-
tinue to bring forth the fruits of faith, and to
witness to all, that they belong to the family of
heaven. From Eleuthera, where we have many
precious souls, the mission has been extended to
Governor's Harbour, and Pelemetto Point. In
the former of these places only a few seemed
inclined to hear ; but those who came, we have
reason to believe, did not hear in vain. At Pele-
metto Point the people received the word with
all readiness, and with much joy. Among those
who heard a society has since been formed, con-
sisting of 26 persons, who seem to be in earnest
for the salvation of their souls. Throughout the
whole settlement of Eleuthera, the society increases
both in number and in piety. Love seems to pre-
dominate in their hearts, and to have taught them
that to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

In our last report, the whole number in the
Bahamas amounted to 505. These are now aug-
mented to 703 ; and we have every reason to
expect that the number still continues to
increase."

Bermuda, or Somers' Islands.

These are a cluster of islands, about 500
miles east of Carolina, in the Atlantic Ocean.
They are properly rocks, or hard banks of sand,
about 400 in number, and not containing in all
above 20,000 acres ; some of them are so near each

LIFE OF DR. COKE. 453

Other, that passengers step across the intervening
sea from island to island. They are inhabited by
the English, enjoy a pure and temperate air, and
have plenty of fish, flesh, garden stuff, land and
water birds, Indian corn, tobacco, and fruits. —
The common employment of the inhabitants is
in building sloops of cedar, which grows here in
abundance, and they frequently erect their houses
and other buildings of it. The most considerable
of these islands are, St. George, St. David, Cooper,
Ireland, Somerset, Long Island, Bird Island, and
Nonsuch. The first contains a town, the two
following have some villages, the others only
dispersed farms. It is here perpetual spring ; the
trees never lose their verdure, as the leaves only
fall when new ones begin to appear; and the birds
sing and breed without intermission. The town
of St. George, on St. George's island, is the .capital.
North latitude 32. 10. West longitude 65. 0.

The great distance of these islands from any
other land, was the chief cause of their not being
discovered till the year 1527. The discovery was
made by John Bermuda, a Spaniard, and they
were called after his name. But no attempt was
made to form a settlement here, till 1612, when
sixty Englishmen landed, and began to form a
colony. These were the first human beings who
were ever known to inhabit these islands. They
continued to spread such a favourable report, that
their number soon increased. And during the
civil war in England, many royalists, when their
cause became hopeless, repaired to BermudaT
among whom was Waller, the poet. The beauties
of Bermuda he celebrated in poetic imagery. —
But upon the restoration of CJiarles the second, he
and many others returned to England.

These islands are about 4,500 miles from tlie
Land's End of England, and occupy a solitary

454 LIFE OF DR. COKE.

situation in the vast Western Ocean. In a collec-!
tive point of view, they are long and narrow,
being in some phices not three miles broad, sur^-
rounded by seas, and walled by rocks. There is
neither a river, nor a large spring, upon these
islands ; and yet wells may be found at no great
depth from the surface of the earth, pretty plenti-
fully supplied Avith water, but this is often rather
brackish. However, they have plenty of rain
•water in general. This is the water chiefly used
for drinking. AVhen it becomes very scarce, it is
sometimes sold at nine-pence a pail. It is a Ber^
muda proverb, " No raiji, no drink ; no fish, no
dinner." Fruits of various kinds are both plenti-
ful and delicious. Lemons, oranges, and limes,
grow wild in the woods. Figs and pomegranates
are also common. Sweet potatoes and onions are
raised in great plenty. But no grain is produced
here, except a little barley.

The inhabitants of this little cluster of islands,
according to the census taken in the year 1808,
including those of all conditions, ages, and sexes,
amount to 10,300; of whom about 4,500 ai'e
whites, and the rest chiefly blacks, who are in a
state of slavery. There is but one town of any
note, and that is St. George, before mentioned. —
It contains about 2000 inhabitants, partly whites
and partly blacks.

The Bermudas have been singularly happy in
one respect : whatever miseries other places have
experienced from war, from this scourge they have
been exempted. Generation has succeeded gene-
ration, in tranquillity and safety, of which the rest
of tlie world have been deprived. And from their
first settlement to the present day, these islands
have been uninteiTuptedly in the hands and under
the protection of Great 13ritain.

The inhabitants in general are not rich ; but

LtFE OF DK. COKE. 455

they are happy in a pure and salubrious a'u; in
uninterrupted peace; in a moderate supply of tlieir
wants; and in contentment. But still Bermuda is
not a paradise. Sin is found there, and this
produces many sorrows. It is divided into nine
parishes, and is generally supplied witli three cler-
gymen. There was also a Presbyterian congrega-
tion before the introduction of IMethodism there.

In 1798 a letter was sent from a sea-faring
gentleman to the Methodist missionary com-
mittee, requesting a missionary might be sent to
Bermuda. And after the receipt of a second letter,
Mr. John Stephenson, a native of Ireland, was
sent upon this mission, and reached the islands on
the 10th of May, 1729- But it was immediately
circulated that he was from Ireland ; the inference
was, that he was an Irish rebel ; and that such a
missionary would promote disaffection and rebel-
lion among the slaves. And had not an enlight-
ened and prudent magistrate befriended him, he
would not have been permitted either to preach
or to land. He said, he should not be banished
without being heard ; and that one puncheon of
rum would put more evil into the heads of the
slaves than JNIr. Stephenson would all the days
of his life.

Mr. Stephenson waited upon the governor,
and offered to take the oaths of allegiance, and to
quaUfy according to the law. The governor
replied, " There is no occasion, Mr. Stephenson.
I know his majesty allows liberty of conscience ;
and I know Mr. Wesley and his people were
always peaceable and loyal subjects."

Prejudice, in many, produced considerable
opposition: notwithstanding which, in a few
months 59 persons were joined in society.

In April, 1800, the society consisted of 74
whites, and 30 blacks. Tlie congregations were

456 LIFE OF DR. COKE.

increased, and about £300 had been subscribed
towards a chapel intended to be built. But this
prosperity produced enmity and opposition. Men
in power sanctioned others, and a storm was
created. But they soon found that they could not
succeed against this church without a persecuting
statute. And on the 24th of May, 1800, the
colonial legislature passed the following edict, in
order to silence Mr. Stephenson : —

" An act to prevent persons pretending, or
having pretended to be ministers of the gospel,
or missionaries from any religious society whatever,
and not invested with holy orders, according to
the rites and ceremonies of the Church of Eng-
land, or the Church of Scotland, from acting as
preachers or school-masters." Such was the title
of the law, and its contents were accordingly. —
The purport is, " That no man shall preach, exhort,
lecture, write, speak, or in any wise propagate
any doctrine to any collected audience, public or
private, who is not ordained according to the rites
and ceremonies of the Church of England or
Scotland."

The penalty to be inflicted was, £50 and six
months imprisonment for every offence ; which
pains and penalties applied, not only to the
preacher, but also to the person in whose house
he preached.

Mr. Stephenson made an ineffectual attempt
to prevent the passing of this law : and when it
was passed, he thought it his duty to disobey it^
His ideas and conduct resemble those of the per-
secuted apostles. Acts 4, 19. " AVhether it be
right in the sight of God to hearken unto you
more than luito God, judge ye." He therefore
continued preaching for a month longer, till, on
the 24th of June, he was apprehended, treated
with contempt and insult, and committed to the

LIFE OF DR. COKE. 4o7

common gaol, to take his trial in the December
following. Mr. Pallais also, in whose house he
liad preached, was committed to prison. But
after being in gaol about a fortnight, J\Ir. Ste-
phenson procured bail, as Mr. Pallais had done
before.

A petition was now prepared, and signed by
nearly 500 persons, and sent to Dr. Coke, to be
presented to the king. To this, a more particular
memorial was added by the missionary committee,
and presented to the king in council. But though
the application Avas treated with attention and
politeness, the act was not negatived by the king
till nearly three years had elapsed.

Early in December, JMr. Stephenson was
put to the bar, and sentenced to " be confined six
months in the common gaol, to pay £50, and to
discharge all the fees of the court." In June he
was liberated, Avith his health injured, and con-
stitution broken. But though he could not ven-
ture to preach, the society kept together better
than might have been expected. In 1802 he was
recalled, and the society was left without a
guide.

It was not till A})ril, 1808, that another
missionary was sent to Bermuda. In that month,
Mr. Joshua Marsden came from New Brunswick
hither. The governor and attorney-general
received him with much civility and respect : but
the people in general displayed evident marks of
disapprobation. Of the fruits of Mr. Stephenson's
labours, he found but few who retained their
seriousness. He had, therefore, to begin the work
afresh. But early in 1809 a subscription was
set on foot in the island to erect a chapel ; and
notwithstanding the hostility and universal
scarcity which prevailed, £180 were contributed
towards it.

15. 3M

458 LIFE OF DR. COKE.

In 1809 JNlr. INIarsden had a commodious
chapel to preach in, and a congregation consisting
of some hundreds. And the more respectable
part of the inhabitants now looked upon the mis-
sion with an eye of favour ; and there was now a
society of one hundred members.

The annual report of 1812 says, " The prin-
cipal obstacle w4iich this mission has to encounter
at present, arises from the sea-faring^ life of the
general mass of the inhabitants. A considerable
portion of these live on the water, and are only
transient visitors of the land. While on shore
with their families, they readily attend public
worship, and frequently receive serious impres-.
sions. But on going another voyage, they too
often lose sight of their condition and resolutions,
and retain nothing but a recollection of the vows
they have broken. Many of the blacks are also
employed on an adjacent island, called Turk's
Island, in making salt, and this prevents them
from attending on the means of gi-ace wdth regu-
larity. In the principal town, the congregation
in general amounts to above three hundred, of
whom two hundred may be reckoned among the
most respectable white inhabitants of the place.
Among these may be reckoned some principal
persons who cordially join in partaking of the
Lord's Supper, though they do not belong to our
society. Those who attend on public worship
behave in general with the greatest decorimi ;
and such as profess themselves members of our
church, adorn the gospel of God their Saviour.
JNIany happy deaths have already taken place,,
since the gospel was first introduced into this set-
tlement ; and a still greater number of living wit-
nesses may now be found to testify that Christ has
power on earth to forgive sins. The number
now is 135.

LIFE OF DR. COKE. 459

In the report for 1813 it is remarked, " In
these islands, as in most of the West Indies, the
members of our society fluctuate in number,
through the deplorable degradation of their civil
condition. As a great majority of them are in a
state of slavery, they are entirely at the disposal
of their niiisters ; in consequence of which, they
are frequently taken from their accustomed abodes,
and sold to other masters in distant parts to which
we can hl&ve no access. But notwithstanding
these unhappy circumstances, we have not lost
ground, throughout the Bermudas. The gracious
Lord has fully supplied the places of such as have
been removed, both by human authority and by
death. The work has taken a more general
spread, so that in several different places besides
St. George, we have many who make confession
of the true faith. Our whole society at present
amounts to about 140."

The report of 1814 says, " At present many,
both rich and poor, attend the preaching of our
missionary, and a door is opened for the reception
of the gospel in almost every parish throughout
the islands. But we are sorry to say, that there
are ^ovae perseeutors. In our last return the niun-
ber in society was 134."

I have now made my tour through the West
Indies. I have not mentioned every island, be-
cause in sundry of them, alas ! there is no mission,
and I fear, little or no religion. This observation
will apply to St. Domingo, Cuba, Porto- Rico,
Martinico, Guadaloupe, and several others of less
size and importance. The reader will bear in
mind, that I have given the preceding accounts
of different islands in the West Indies, on account

460 LIFE OF DR. COKE.

of their being the theatres of missions ; and I have
given those statements of missions, because of tlieir
close connection vv'ith Dr. Coke. lie i)istituted
many of them, and was the principal promoter of
them all. And the same may be said in a measure
about the missions in^S^ova-Scotia, New Brunswick,
and Newfoundland. But as the Doctor was never
in any of those places, I do not conceive myself
bound to give a full and particular account of
them, especially as I have noticed them in the
early part of this work.

In Nova-Scotia and New Brunswick there
are about 1150 in society ; in Ne^vfoundland and
Prince Edward's Islands, about 400; in Quebec,
30 ; at Sierra Leone, in Africa, 96 ; at Gibraltar,
65 ; and at BouviUe, in France, 14. There are
also some Methodist classes formed in New South
Wales ; and in the Island of Ceylon, in the East
Indies, the nsissionarics, whom Dr. Coke was
conducting thither, have already begun to form
societies.

But, we must now return to Europe, and
take some notice of what are termed the Home
Missions.

The Home Missions, pi'operly speaking, in-
clude all missions in Great Britain and Ireland.
Dr. Coke, however, in drawing up the annual
report, included, under this name, only those
in England, and gave a statement of the mis-
sions in Ireland and Wales under separate heads.

The mission, among those now under con-
sideration, which claims the first notice, is that
among

The Koman Catholics in Ireland.

Dr. Coke had a great desire to establish mis-
sions among the Koman Catholics, in their own

LIFE OF DR. COKE. 461

language, and made several fruitless attempts for
that purpose. Eut, though this had been his
anxious desire for more than twice seven years, it
was not till the year 1799 that proper persons
were found, and immediately employed in the
undertaking.

In the course of four or five years, a conside-
rable number of Roman Catholics were brought
from sin and superstition, to be ornaments of scrip-
tural Christianity. Thousands more were som^e-
what enlightened, and a general enquiry after
truth spread through the land. Tlie clergy of the
Established Church, in general, the magistrates,
and the officers of the army, appeared all ready
to protect the missionaries in the time of danger.

The aimual report of the Methodist missions
for 1805 says, " Our missions in Ireland, in the
ancient Irish language, are still very successflil. —
The last Irish conference entered very minutely
into the examination of the progress of those
missions, and were so fully satisfied with the
excellence and utility of the plan, that tliey
doubled the number of missionaries, raising them
from four to eight."

It would too much swell my book, and that
to the exclusion of other equally important matter,
to make an extract from the annual report of every
succeeding year. But I will give abridgements
of the statements, at such moderate distances of
time as will sufficiently convey ideas of; every
thing necessary and important.

'The report of 1808 says, " The benefits
which have already resulted from these missions
are almost incalculable. Great numbers, through
grace, have had fortitude sufficient to break off
the shackles of popery, in which both they and
their ancestors had been held from time immemo-
rial. Multitudes of others, who cannot be indu-

462 LIFE OF DR. COKE.

ced to believe that salvation is attainable ont of
the pale of that tyrannical and coiTiipt communion,
have been so far enlightened as to perceive many
of the impositions which have been practised on
them by their priests. Even great numbers of
the Protestants of Ireland have, through these
means, been stirred up to seek that salvation which
they had habitually neglected."

As the English and Irish languages are spoken
in most places where they preached, it was found
highly expedient, that they should travel in pairs,
one of them preaching in English and the other
in Irish. The happy effects of this soon became
visible. At that time, ten were employed ; and
the extent of the country and population required
ten more.

Notwithstanding the absolute dominion or
the priests, and their anathematizing prohibitions,
many of the Roman Catholics found means to
hear, and the word of God found its way into
their hearts.

The report of 1811 gives a detailed, and
very interesting account of this mission. There
were then six distinct missions, and twelve mis-,
sionaries. Many of the places which heretofore
formed parts of the various missions, had lately
been added to the regular circuits, and the mem-
bers in society incorporated with the general
numbers. And this has been constantly done
since, as soon as it could be made convenient. —
And by giving up the fruits of their labours in
this way to the regular travelling preachers, the
missionaries have been at liberty to visit new
places, and form new societies.

The report of 1811 says, " In the Cork
mission, the hand of persecution has been lifted
up with much violence ; in consequence of which,
the work has been much retarded in some places.

LIFE OF DR. COKE. 463

It has, nevertheless, abundantly prospered in
others, so that many souls have been brought to
God. In the Cove of Cork, 14 English miles
from Cork, a new chapel has been erected, which
is filled with large and attentive congregations. —
In several new places preaching has been estab-
lished. This missionary circuit, which is perfectly
distinct from what is termed the Cork circuit,
takes in an extensive range. A general spirit of
hearing and inquiring prevails in most places ;
and notwithstanding the opposition which the
missionaries are occasionally obliged to encounter,
the Sun of Righteousness visits the people with
his enlivening and genial rays. On the whole,
the prospects are truly animating, and evidently
foretel a glorious harvest of many souls.

" In the Galway mission, we have three mis'
sionaries who are bold for God, and who proclaim
the readiness of Christ to save sinners, to people
of all descriptions who assemble to hear them. In
the county of Tipperary they have many new
openings ; and they are heard w^ith attention, not-
withstanding the land seems covered with all the
moral darkness that sin and superstition have
been able to accumulate. — Many of the most pro-
fligate are reclaimed, and begin to enquire
the way to Zion with their faces thitherward.

" In point of extent, this circuit is no less
than 350 Irish miles. It includes a great part of
the counties of Tipperary and Galway, no incon-
siderable portion of tlie coimty of Limerick, and
the whole of the county of Clare. It stretches
from near the city of Limerick to the western
extremity of the island, and expands in nearly
the same proportion. In some places the people
appear civilized, friendly, and humane ; but in
others, they are so far sunk in ignorance and
papal darkness, as to be scarcely advanced a single

464 LIFE OF Dll. COKE.

step from savage barbarism. Before our mission-
aries began to explore these rude and micultivated
parts, \vhich is not more than about two years,
the most shameful ignorance and abominable prac-
tices prevailed. And perhaps it may with safety
be said, that prior to this period, few amoiig them
ever heard the sound of the unadulterated gospel.
In many places the Protestants and Papists, by
constant intercourse and intermarriages, were
melted into one common mass, which cherished
the vices of both parties, but retained few of the
virtues of either. In the crime of Sabbath-break-
ing, this district exceeded all conception. The
most rude and vile amusements Avere familiarly
practised, and the ordinary business of the week
was carried on without interruption on the Lord's
Day. But now, blessed be God, all these things
are on the decline, and the general conduct of all
those who attend our preaching, puts on a new
and more pleasing aspect. Now, instead of revel-
ling, dancing, and card-playing, on Sabbath-days,
multitudes attend preaching, and spend their
time in singing of hymns, and conversing about
eternal tliino-s."

" Prom the Donegal mission accounts
equally animating have been received, but oiu-
liinits forbid us to enlarge. In 1808, when our
missionaries entered on this circuit, even vice
itself appeared too formidable to be encountered,
and not a single friend was visible. They, how-
ever, began in the name of their I^ord and Master.
First, curiosity induced many to hear, and others
followed from the reports which the former made.
Conviction and conversion soon fallowed. Many
doors were opened in a very short time, and salva-
tion acc<^»nipanicd the missionaries to many houses
into v/liich they entered. Changes like these,
induced many, wdio had designed to persecute, to

LIFE OF DR. COKE. 465

draw near ; and the word reached several of their
hearts, and they were constrained to apply to
Jesus for the balm of life. Two hundred and
two were joined in society during this year, while
the people at large were prepared for the farther
reception of the word. In 1809, the preaching
of the word was attended with still greater power.
It seemed as though a nation was to be born
in a day.

" The Belfast mission has hardly been less
successful in proportion to its extent, than that
of which we have just sketched the outline. JMr.
Kerr, and Mr. Adam, were appointed to this
station in 1809 ; and when they first entered on
their labours, they had to encounter many grievous
hardships, being frequently obliged, after preach-
ing, to travel from three to six miles to procure a
lodging. At first, their words seemed hke idle
tales ; but this was soon succeeded by regular
attendance and strict attention. After labouring
about six months, they ventured to form the
more serious into societies, and estabhshed seven
classes, consisting of 110 members, of whom 30
had found peace with God. Among these, three
acted as class-leaders, and twelve occasionally
assisted at prayer-meetings. Twelve houses were
also opened for the reception of the missionaries,
in which they found such accommodations as the
circumstances of the people could afford. Since
that period more have been added to their num-
bers, more have found peace, and seriousness is
visibly impressed on the majority of the congre-
gations. This also is the Lord's doing, and it is
marvellous in our eyes.

" Our accounts from Mr Hamilton, who is
in the Newry mission, are very full and succinct,
but strongly tinctured with light and shade. He
15. 3 N

466 LIFE OF DR. COKE.

and his colleague have had many difficulties to
encounter, but they have been enhvened by many
gracious tokens of God's approbation. But these
successes in this mission, it must be observed,
have been chiefly among the Protestants. The
Catholics are, in this part of tJie country, so closely
watched by their priests, that they hardly pre-
sume to hear, except it be in fairs or markets,
when they also drink in the word with greediness,
and excuse themselves to their priests by saying,
that they went thither on business. So much are
the Romish priests afraid tliat their people will be
enlightened, tliat they forbid them to purchase,
or even to read our bibles, telling them that they
are corrupted ; and so far has their influence in
some instances prevailed, that the people have
been induced to sell them at reduced prices,
though they cost them only two shillings each ;
and in some instances, they h^tve played at cards
with one another for them. Still, however, these
bibles circulate, and of course, will continue
to do good. While this flagrant contempt of
God's word appears in the conduct of some, there
are others who cherish it as a hidden treasure, and
who seize every secret opportunity to read and
liear. JNIany doors liave been opened to afford
accommodations; and new places for preaching
have likewise been providisd. The congregations
are large and attentive, and marks of genuine
devotion are to be found with many who have no
immediate connection with us."

The above extracts may be sufficient to give
the reader a full and sufficient view of the
nature, circumstances, and progress of the Irish
missions.

The report for 1812 says, " We learn by
letters received from the Galway missionaries,
that the prospects we have before us in the

LIFE OF DR. COKE. 467

province of Connanght are pleasing; and that the
success of that mission has been great. This,
however, has not been the case in all places. In
the county of Clare they have been compelled
to encounter much opposition ; and in some places,
during the last year, they suffered much from
persecution. But even here God has been pleased
to bless their labours to many souls, and they
view these as the first fruits of the approaching
harvest.

" As a vast proportion of the inhabitants in
the country places are professedly papists, and
«unk into the grossest superstition, the generality
of them cannot be prevailed upon to enter our
chapels, even where they are large enough to
accommodate them comfortably, lest they should
fall under the anathemas of their priests. These
men watch them Avith imremitting vigilance, and
seem more anxious to excite their abhorrence
against preaching, than against the flagrant enor-
mities which they commit. On these accounts
our missionaries are compelled to preach in the
open fields and market-places, to which the unholy
curse cannot easily extend its influence. The
people have no objection, provided they are
not detected by their priests. Hence, on public
occasions, when they attend their business, they
rejoice to have such favourable opportunities."

The annual report of the state of the mis-
sions for 1813, says, " The missions in Ireland
are, on the whole, in a more prosperous condition
than might be expected, when we consider the
hosts of difficulties which oppose their progress.
In these missions, the numbers in society afford
no criterion whatever to guide our judgments^
as to the success of the n)issionaries, because as
soon as a society becomes organized, it is generally
delivered up to the regular circuits. This leaves

468 LIFE OF DR. COKJE.

the missionaries at liberty to visit new places,
in order to erect again the standard of the
cross.

" In the Kewry mission we have preaching
in no less than forty places, to congregations of
various description's. But as the people are much
scattered, it is only in a few places that the assem-
bhes are large. The market of Castle Blaney
aftbrds the largest concourse, whicli frequently
amounts to 2000 souls. The total amount of
hearers throughout this mission may be estimated
at 3700. These in general behave with decency,
and shew no small degree of attention to the gos-
pel which they hear; and what is of infinitely
greater importance, it has evidently introduced
among them a striking reformation of manners."

'1 he same report informs 11 s, that in the
Tyrone mission there were eight different socie-
ties ; in the Belfast missit)n sixteen places of preach-
ing; in the Cove of Cork mission, nine places
where the people were willing to hear the word
preached.

ThiC report for 1814 says, *' In different places
our missionaries have been very successful during
the last year, notwithstanding the innumerable
dithculties tliey have had to combat, from the
ini((uity which prevails, and from the influence
and inveteracy of the llomish priests. In other
parts, however, the fruits of their labours have
been less visible, although we have no occasion to
think, that in any they have wholly spent their
strength for nought. We trust, on the whole,
that this blessed work is owned of God in a most
conspicuous manner, and we are induced to
believe that thousands will rejoice in the last day,
that ever this institution was established in the
land. AVe have at present eight missions and
nine missionaries, who regularly travel up and

LIFE OF DR. COKE. 469

down preaching to the inhabitants, " in season
and out of season," as opportunity offers, or pros-
pect of doing good appears.

The report for 1815 says, " Our missionaries
m Ireland are men of deep piety and steady zeal.
Their labours are abundant, and their sufferings
and privations great; but, amidst all, they pro-
ceed in the work like primitive apostles. Much
good has been done by tlieir instrumentality this
year; and pleasing prospects of future success
continually open to their view. One of them,
speaking of a very dark part of the country, says,
*' The Lord has caused * the wilderness and
solitary places to be glad, and the desert to rejoice
and blossom as the rose.' In many places, where
tlie bible had not been seen, it is now read with
seriousness, attention, and prayer."

The reader will bear in mind, that Dr. Coke
instituted the Irish mission, and not only super-
intended it, but also provided its principal support
till his departure for India. And tjiis is also true
respecting

The Welch Missions.

In travelling annually, for many years,
through North A^^alcs, in his Way to Ireland, the
Doctor felt exceedingly for his countrymen the
Welch, and anxiously desired that the genuine
gospel might be preached universally among them.
Notwithstanding there were many pious clergy-
men of the Establishment, as well as among the
Dissenters, he was persuaded that many of the
Welch still sat in darkness and in the region of the
shadow of death, and were in the gall of bitter-
ness, and in the bond of iniquity. He thought
itinerant preachers might find access to many
whom the settled ministers could not reach. But

470 LIFE OF DR. COKE.

he waa at the same time convinced, that no exten-
sive good could be accomplished, unless itinerant
preachers could be found, who were masters of
the Welch language. Being urged, by a pious
person in the island of Anglesea, to make an
attempt, he requested IMr. Owen Davies to travel
through North Wales, provided the conference
should consent, and a proper colleague could be
found to accompany him. IVIr. Davies agreed,
the conference consented, and a very suitable col-
league for Mr. Davies was found in Mr. John
Hughes. Tliese missionaries immediately entered
upon their labours. Great success crowned
their endeavours, and sundry societies were
speedily formed.

As early as 1804, seventeen chapels had been
built, and eleven more were building; about 80
different societies had been formed; and there
were twenty local preachers raised up, who
preached in Welch, besides ten more, who had
become itinerants : and all this had been brought
to pass in about four years. The work was great
and marvellous.

The missionary report for 18Q5, which was
drawn up by Dr. Coke, says, " Our missions
among the Welch in North Wales in their own
language, have indeed been successful beyond our
most sanguine expectations. In about five
years nineteen Welch travelling preachers, about
twenty local preachers, and a society of near
four thousand, have been raised, under the grace
of God. And what is above all, the members of
the society, at least in general, are holy, pious,
and devoted to God. In short, the labours of our
missionaries in North Wales have been so remark-
ably owned of God, that we are ready to flatter
ourselves, that the greatest part of the princi-

LIFE OF DR. COKE. 471

pality will soon bow down to the sceptre of the
Lord Jesus."

The annual report for 1808 says, " Perhaps
in no part of the globe in which we have estab-
lished missions, have the benefits resulting from
them been more conspicuous, more extensive, or
more genuine, than in the principality of Wales.
Ten years have not yet elapsed since their first
institution ; and so greatly has God blessed the
endeavours of his servants, that no less than sixty
chapels have been erected, which are filled with
large and attentive congregations. A society has
been raised, which consists of 5,218 members,
besides om Welch societies in London, JNlanches-
ter, Liverpool, and in the circuits of Swansea,
Cardiff, Merthyr-Tydville, Brecon, Kington,
Caermarthen, and Wrexham, which will probably
amount to at least 1000 more. Tliis very extra-
ordinary work was begun about nine years and a
half since, by two pious men who understood
the Welch language. From this small beginning,
no less than thirty-six travelling preachers have
sprung up ; and these have been accompanied by
a still greater number of men who act in a local
capacity."

From the report for 1811 we learn, that there
were then 20 missionary circuits, in which were
employed 46 missionaries ; that the chapels were
in general very well attended by steady and
attentive hearers ; and that there was great reason
to beUeve that religion was in a prosperous condi-
tion. Thus far the missionaries had almost inva-
riably preached in the Welch tongue ; but it was
now thought that much good might be done by
tlieir preaching occasionally in English.

The report for 1812 says, " When we con-
trast the religious state of Wales about ten years
since with what it is at present, we feel gratitude

472 LIFE OF DR. COKE.

to Him through Avhose gracious spirit and mercy
the astonishing change has been wrought, which
has really taken place. In many parts, the peo-
ple who then sat in the most profoimd darkness,
have now seen a great light, and have followed it
till it has conducted them to the Lamb of God
who taketh away the sin of the world." It then
mentions several places where the mission pros-
pered remarkably.

The report for 181 4 says, " What once were
missions, now are circuits ; and large societies at
this moment flourish, where in former years the
sound of the gospel had scarcely ever been heard.
It is to the establishment of these missions, that
we are indebted, under God, for several thousands
of precious souls, who are ornaments to that reli-
gion which they profess."

The report for the present year, 1815, says,
♦* Now we employ 46 itinerant, and nearly 100
local preachers, who preach the word of life, in
the Welch language ; so that now many hundred
congregations, and several thousand members, hear
in their own tongue the wonderful works of God.
We have built upwards of 120 chapels for public
worship, besides fitting up buildings and dwelling-
houses for this pui-pose."

Nothing now remains upon this head but
the missions in England, termed by Dr. Coke

The Home Missions.

These were commenced about the year 1805,
and they were attended wit h speedy and visible
success.

The report for 1808 says, " 'S'Vlien our friends
and brethren reflect on the vast extent to which
the gospel has been published through this king-
dom withhi the last twenty years, many of them

LIFE OF DR. COKE. 473

may be led to wonder, why these missions should
be thought necessary. But their astonishment
will cease, when they are informed, that out of
the eleven thousand parishes whicli England and
Wales contain, perhaps one-half of them seldom
or never hear the gospel. In numerous small
towns, villages, and hamlets, a very considerable
part of the inhabitants attend no place of worship
whatever, nor once think of entering a religious
edifice, except when marriages, baptisms, or
funerals, occur. It is among people of this des-
cription that our missions have been chiefly
established."

" Among these people," says the report for
1809, " our missionaries have laboured with very
great success. Many, who before their arrival
never heard the sound of the gospel, have been
converted to God ; and multitudes have been
induced to believe that they have an interest in a
future life, who before spent their whole time in
sensual gratifications, and in the means to indulge
their appetites. The societies which have been
raised in a great many of these long-neglected
villages, have either themselves been formed into
circuits, or imited to our contiguous circuits; and
the inhabitants have now preaching established
among them, which they regularly attend. —
In some of these places our societies are very
respectable."

The report for 1811 mentions a number of
places where these missions had been instituted,
as Brigg, in Lincolnshire, Bromsgrove, in Wor-
cestershire, Hereford, Essex, Ipswich, Surrey,
Sussex, and Devonshire.

The report of 1812 says, That some of the
missions established in England " are very pros-
perous, others afford flattering prospects, and
15. 3 O

474 LIFE OF DR. COKE.

others have not ansAvered our expectations." This
report enters into no detail, except of the missions
at Ulverston and Garstang, in Lancashire, and
that at INIelton JNIowbray, in Leicestershire,
which it describes as being tolerably favourable.

The report for 1813 says, " The missions
which we have undertaken in this country are
professedly with a design to carry the gospel into
those places which fall not within the reach of the
regular circuits, and where the real gospel of our
Lord Jesus Christ is not preached. By mere
report, the inhabitants of these places have, no
doubt, heard of Methodism; but hearing of it
only through the accounts of those who have an
interest in misrepresenting it, it is not to be ex-
pected that their opinions of our missionaries
shoidd be very favourable. We accordingly find,
on entering any new place, that many of the old
tales, which were propagated in the days of JMr.
Wesley, are again revived. And we have no
doubt, were it not for the protection which the
laws afford, and the superior light of the age in
which we live, that persecution would follo^v reli-
gion like its shadow. It would not be difficult
to mention instances to justify these observations;
In some few places our endeavours have been un-
successful, but these are inconsiderable indeed. — ■
In others, congregations have been collected,
societies have been instituted, and many have been
converted to God. In consequence of these suc-
cesses, many new circuits have been formed, and
many of our regular circuits have been enlarged
by the additions which have thus been made."

The report for 1814 says, " If we look back
to the time when these missions were first estab-
lished, we shall find many districts of the country
in which the gospel is now regularly preached,
whose inhabitants were then in the same condition

UFE OF DR. COKE. 475

as thousands of our fellow-creatures in this highly-
favoured land, who are at this moment living
without hope and without God in the world. —
Since the establishment of these missions, we
have, through every year, been enabled to mark
with pleasiu'e the progressive advantages which
have resulted from them. It is a glorious fact,
that no less than fifty circuits have been either
augmented, or wholly formed, by means of these
missions. And in numerous places, in which vice
and immorality of the grossest kind once prevailed,,
we have now large congregations who regularly
attend preaching, and flourishing societies, con-
taining many precious souls that are truly alive to
God."

The report for 1815 says, *' Like the primi-
tive Methodist preachers, oiu' home missionaries
meet with persecution in some places; but they
are safe in his hands who sent them forth. If these
missions are promoted and encouraged, we are of
opinion, that every village in this nation will soon
know the joyful soimd."

In the Home missions, as well as those before
mentioned, Dr. Coke, under God, was the main
spring, and chief agent, and so he was also in the
missions among the

French Prisoners.

Of these missions it is very proper I should
give some account.

Dr. Coke, as before mentioned, had long had
a wish to propagate the gospel in France. But
the war prevented the attempt from being made,
except by two or three preachers who had gone
over from the Norman Isles, one of whom was a
Frenchman. But as many thousands of French
soldiers and sailors were prisoners of war in Eng-

476 LIFE OF DR. COKE.

land, it was determined to try to propagate the
gospel among them.

At the conference of 1809, ^Ir. Toase, who
is well acquainted witli the French language, was
appointed to a circuit on the banks of tiie river
]\Iedway, on which there were ten prison-ships,
which contained about 7000 French prisoners of
war. While attending to the duty of his circuit,
lie received an invitation from the commander of
one of these ships, named the Glory, to come on
board and preach to the prisoners. He went, on
board, and after spending about an hour in conver-
sation, and distributing some religious tracts, he
proposed to come and preach to tliem the next
day, if they would promise to hear him. JNIany
of them joyfully accepted the offer. Accordingly,
on the 6th of March, 1810, he stood on the
quarter-deck of the Glory, and preached to several
hundreds, who listened with deep attention, and
some among them with many tears. When the
service was ended, the prisoners expressed much
gratitude, and intreated him to come again. This
he promised to do, which he did as often as his
other engagements vv^ould permit him.

At the conference of 1801, a petition, signed
by about fifty French prisoners, was received,
requesting that Mr. Toase might be stationed
among them. He was appointed accordingly. —
He was received with great pleasure at the head
of his circuit, that is, on board the Glory. He
formed a little circulating library, getting some
bibles and testaments from the British and Foreign
Bible Society, and procuring some other books
from other quarters.

Before the establishment of preaching, reli-
gious books were sometimes refused by the pri-
soners ; and frequently when accepted, were either
disregarded, or treated with contempt. But after

LIFE OF DR. COKE. 477

yir. Toase began to preach on board the Glory,
the prisoners made application for the holy scrip-
tures, received them with joy, and read them with
deep attention.

Among the ships containing the prisoners,
was one called the Trusty, which was an hospital
for the sick. Mr. Toase had soon access to this
vessel, and afterwards regularly preached to' the
people once every week. JSIany of them were
much aftected, and some appeared to be truly
enlightened and savingly affected.

Application being made to the government
for an authority to visit the other ships, which was
immediately granted, all the depots, which con-
tained about 70,000 prisoners, were open to Mr,
Toase. Mr. De Kerpezdron, a French preacher,
was then sent to assist him.

The report for 1813 says, " The French ofH-
cers, as well as the men, seem deeply sensible of
our benevolent intentions towards them ; and they
a})pear to vie with each other in their expressions
of gratitude." When some invalids took th.eir
leave, on their departure to France, one of them
said, " We cannot doubt the goodness of God,
since he has sent you to instruct us in our deplo-
rable captivity." Another said, " When yon
preached to us the word of life, it sounded in our
ears like the voice of mercy and love, which was
a source of consolation to our souls." " How can
we forget," said another, " your labours among
us ? We shall feel it our duty to publish to our
families and friends, what the Methodists have
done in our behalf, whose names will be known
and remembered by our children and relatives."
" We shall esteem it an unspeakable favour," said
another, " to see you in France." " I will keep
this book," said another, " as a precious evidence
of the benevolence of the British and Foreig^

478 LIFE OF DR. COKE.

Bible Society, and of the jMethodists, towards us ;
and I will say to my wife and children, I received
this book from two Methodist missionaries who
visited us in our captivity, to the last moment of
our remaining in the INIedway." And when the
cartel got under weigh, as the missionaries were
taking their leave, " We are indebted to you,"
they exclaimed, " beyond expression, and are
bound to pray for your success and prosperity. —
May the Lord reward you." The bibles which
had been given them when they had no expecta^
tion of returning to France, they carefully trea-
sured up, and exhibited with glowing gratitude
on the quarter-deck just before they sailed.

Great numbers still remained on board the
prison-ships who had received serious impressions.
In all the vessels visited by tlie missionaries, there
was a visible reformation among those who attended
the preaching. On board several of the ships, the
French officers cordially co-operated with them
in their pious designs, and summoned the prisoners
to attend at the hour of preaching. Among
these, an officer of high distinction one time said
to JNIr. Toase, " I suppose. Sir, your society will
send missionaries to France, should we have the
happiness to see a peace." Mr. Toase answered,
" Should the French government approve of such
a measure, and gi'ant us protection, it is a probable
case." •' Protection," he replied, " we protect
all denominations in France. The French govern-
ment, 1 can assure you, will be thankful for your
attention to the prisoners of war."

The annual report of the state of the JNIetho-
dist missions for the year 1814 says, " Although
in many departments of our missionary exertions,
it has been our lot to follow the example of others,
there is one instance, in which we have had the
honour of leading the way, and this is the intro-

LIFE OF Dn. COKK. 479

ductioii of the gospel among the French prisoners
of war. Being deeply impressed with a convic-
tion of their moral wretchedness, we made an
application to the British government a few years
since, for leave to introduce the gospel among
them. To this measure they acceded with the
greatest readiness ; and the facilities with which
we have been favoured by government, in the
execution of our intentions, must reflect on the
British cabinet a degree of honour, which we
doubt not, on some future day, even France her-
self will be ready to acknowledge.

" On the river Medway there are ten prison-
ships, one board of which we have about nineteen
hundred prisoners, who regularly attend preach-
ing, among whom we have much reason to believe
that preaching has been productive of the most
salutary effects. On board of the ten ships lying
in the Medway, we have about 300 French lads,
who regularly attend the schools we have estab-
lished among them. Many of these have already
made such proficiency, as to be able to read the
bible in French with great facility ; and we trust
we may add, without hesitation, our full persua-
sion, that several among them are not without feel-
ing that sacred influence which it is calculated to
impart.

" Among the prisoners in the Hamoaze, as
our establishment has been less permanent, the
good effects of our missions have not been alto-
gether so conspicuous. But in several instances
our hopes have been exceeded. Many have
evidently received serious impressions, and we
trust that some few souls have been converted
to God.

" At Dartmore Prison, in which several
thousands are confined, we have made a few
attempts ; but our means of supporting the mk-

480 LIFE OF DR. COKE.

sionaiies are unequal to the expences which must
necessarily be incurred. We may truly say of
this interesting mission, the harvest is great, but
the labourers are few, and the means of support-
ing them still less.

" To form a proper estimate of this mission,
we must look forward to a period, when peace
shall visit the warlike nations of Europe. We
trust, whenever it arrives, that those prisoners
whom we now endeavour to instruct, being liber-
ated from their confinement, will in a measure
prepare the way for us to visit their country, with
the sound of the gospel. Being scattered through
that populous empire, they will naturally relate the
events which occurred, while, in England, they
remained prisoners of war ; and among these it is
unreasonable to suppose, that the labours of our
missionaries will be forgotten. We can hardly
anticipate a greater pleasure, than that which our
future missionaries v/ill probably enjoy, when
visiting the continental shores, to hear these pri-
soners declaring their gratitude to their friends
and neighbours, saying, " When sick and impri-
soned in a foreign land, these men came and min-
istered unto us."

The report adds, " We have seen greater
things th%n these ; and both faith and hope will
lead us to expect that God may make this mission,
which is now in its infancy, an instrument of in-
troducing the pure gospel into France."

It was almost immediately after this last
report was written, that the Allied Armies invaded
France, and captured Paris; that Bonaparte abdi-
cated and was exiled to Elba ; that Louis XV'^III.
was recalled, and a general peace was agreed upon.
This being come to pass, the French prisoners of
war returned to their native country. Many of
them invited the missionaries to visit them at their

LIFE OF DR COKE. 481

homes in France ; and not a few of them left their
address. The friends of the mission entertained
the most sanguine expectations. Mr. De Kerpez-
dron, by the advice of the missionary committee,
followed them, and called upon sundry of them,
being directed by their address which they had left
with him. But his hopes were very much disap-
pointed. Some would hardly acknowledge they
knew him ; others behaved very coolly ; some
introduced him to their friends as a noted free-
mason ; and scarcely one of them manifested any
wish for him to preach to them and their neigh-
bours. The old tide of popish superstition was
rapidly returning, and the expected opening for
the preaching of the pure gospel seemed to dis-
appear. It seems the religious appearances mani-
fested by the French prisoners, by the love that
hopeth all things, had been estimated too highly.
And yet, there is reason to believe, that great
good had been done among them. And though Mr.
De Kerpezdron met with so little encouragement,
sundry applications from other parts of France
have since been made to the conmiittee for mis-
sionaries. But as it is impossible, at this day,
(June 24, 1815,) to tell what fate awaits that
country as to sovereign or form of government,
we can say little more, but that we are assured,
by that unerring guide, the word of God, that
tlie period will come, sooner or later, when saving
knowledge and pure and undefiled religion will
be universal in all nations. But as to the times
and seasons, these the Father hath reserved in his
own power. Had Dr. Coke been in England
when the late peace was made, I believe his whole
soul would have entered into the business, and
that all his energies would have been instantly
employed to establish missions in different parts
of France.

16, 3 P

482 LIFE OF DR* COKE.

1 engaged to give a short history of ^le-
thodism, in connection with the Ufe of Dr. Coke^
but have said but httle of the main body of them
since the year 1797.

Tlie connexion continued to be mote or less
agitated for several years after the formation of
Mr. Kilham's party. But nevertheless their
affairs visibly improved, while the numbers, both
in preachers and people, received a considerable
augmentation year after year. But yet, scarcely
any thing of an extraordinary nature befel them,
till the period of Lord Sidmoutlfs memorable
bill. The INIethodists, particularly on account
of their rapid increase, attracted more than usual
public attention, and the clergy of the Established
Church appeared greatly alarmed. This alai-m ap-
peared in numerous publications, in visitation ser-
mons, and otherwise. The fears of the clergy were
infused into some members of parliament. Ah in-
tention to obtain some restrictive statute, to pre*
vent the increase of the Dissei iters, and INIethodists,
was announced. The necessity of such a law w^as
loudly proclaimed. But the persons who engaged
in the business appeared very much at a loss as
to the best plan of proceeding. They \vished to
do a great work of the kind, but they appeared
very much afraid of exciting an alarm, and espe-
cially as tlie times were perilous. They advanced
and hesitated, advanced and again hesitated. This
want of promptitude was partly occasioned by
convulsions and distresses at home and abroad,
which time after time occurred. For some years
the weapon w^as prepared; but something still
happened to fill the hands of those who were
about to strike, with other work. And when the
measure was brought forward, it was considerably
narrowed and frittered down from what certain
tiircumstances seemed to indicate. Both the matter

LIFj: OF DR. OOKE. 483

and the manner were greatly studied, and dis-
played great art and contrivance. The most artful
circumstance was, the entirely avoiding so much
as the mentioinug of what the whole measure was
intended to suppress. Itinerant preachers, con-
ferences, district-meetings, local preachers, class-
meetings, kc. were all passed over in silence, as
if no such things had been in existence, while the
great object of tlie bill was effectually to suppress
them all. The proposed bill was to explain the
act of toleration ; and the provisions said, it meant
this, that, and the other, and nothing else. But
within the whole compass of its explaining, there
was notiiing that would tolerate or protect what
I have just mentioned. These might have been
prosecuted and persecuted, and when they had
applied for redress under the act of toleration, the
new explanation woujd have been read, and the
plaintiffs would have been told, the act did not
touch their case, for no sncli thing came within
its meaning as explained by the late act of par-
liament.

It is true, the leading movei* in this business
denied that he had any intention to fetter and
enslave the Dissenters and 31etliodists, as liis bill
was evidently calculated to do. And perhaps this
will admit of an explanation somewhat satisfacr
tory. It is possible, and indeed very probable, that
he was not the chief framer of the bill ; but that
many were employed in it, some of whom had
designs more deep and comprehensive than they
thought proper to explain, even to their mouth-
piece and confidential agent.

In May, 1811, Lord Sidmouth brought his
long-expected, and long-to-be-remembered bill,
into the House of Lords. The Dissenters and
Methodists were affected by it as they ought to
have been. Almost in an instant, 620 petitions

484 LIFE OF DR. COKE.

"vvere presented against it, one of which was signed
by 4000 names. But the time was so sliort, that
petitions could not be procured in time from places
more than 120 miles from London : otherwise,
many thousands, and more numerously signed,
would have been presented in a very few days. —
There was an evident design to hurry the bill
through the house, before the people would, and,
if possible, before they could form their opinion
upon the subject. May 11, 1811, the bill was
read the second time. The supporters of it were
become embarrassed, and rather intimidated. But
its opposers were emboldened and invigorated. —
Several noble lords opposed the bill in a strain of
eloquence that v/ill do them lasting honour : and
Lord Erskine moved, that the bill sliould be read
the third time that day six months; (the common
way of throM'ing out an obnoxious bill ;) and after
some of tlic advocates of the bill had apologized
for their conduct in the best manner they
could, Lord Erskine's motion Vv^as carried without
a division.

Between this memorable session of parliament
and the preceding one, the bishops had caused
enquiries to be made respecting the number of
licensed teachers, in each year from 1776 to 1810.
And the total number licensed during that half
century, was 2672. The nnmber of chapels
licensed, including small rooms and dwelling-
houses, during the same period, was 12,161. —
Returns were also made to and by the archbishops
and bishops, of the number of churches and
chapels, belonging to the Church of England, in
every parish containing a thousand persons and
upwards ; and of the number of places of worship
not of the Establishment. The total number of
churches and cliapels of the Church of England,
amounte d to 2547 ; and of chapels and meeting

LIFE OF DB. COKE. 485

houses not of the Establishment, to 3457, besides
many private houses, in which was preaching,
and reUgious meetings, which were not included.

When the enemies of the Dissenters and
i^lethodists could not obtain a new statute that
would abridge the provisions of the act of tolera-
tion, then a vigorous attempt was made to intro-
duce such a new practical construction of the old
law as would answer all the intended purposes of
the projected new one. In addition to the usual
oaths, it was required of persons applying for
licences, that they should prove that they were
ministers of certain separate congregations. This
new interpretation of an old law, bore principally
upon the Methodist preachers, and on Dissenting
ministers who served sundry congregations, and
on candidates for the ministry. It was determined
to make an united application to government for
relief. No very sanguine hope was entertained of
success. But prayer was made contirmally by the
church of Christ, and the Lord helping them,
the arm of persecution was staid, and an increase
of hberty and security became the inheritance
of the pious in the land. Thus did the Lord
over-rule for their good the intolerant and mali-
cious designs of the enemies of the Dissenters and
the Methodists.

In the applications to members of govern-
ment, and other exertions necessary upon the
occasion. Dr. Coke had his usual share. His heart
w^as deeply affected with the threatening danger ;
and his triumphant joy and gratitude were very
great, when the storm was blown over, and the
liberty which was intended to be curtailed, became,
in the result, more firmly established, and greatly
enlarged. It was at this eventful period that the
Methodists instituted a second public school, at
Woodhouse-Grove. It is situated in the West-

.486 LIFE OF DR. COKE.

Riding of Yorkshire, on the banks of the river
Aire ; 2 miles west of Leeds, between 3 and 4
north of Bradford, and about 6 south of Otley.
At this seminary there are about 70 of the
preachers' sons, while there are about 50 more at
the old school, at Kingswood, about 3 miles from
I3ristol.

It will be interesting to many to state the
numbers in society, in the different parts of the
^lethodist Connexion, in the year 1814.

In Great Britain 173,885

In Ireland ... 29,388

In France ... ... ... 14

At Gibraltar 65

At Sierra Leone, in Africa 96
In Nova Scotia, Quebec, and

Newfoundland 1,570

In the West Indies ... 17,002

222,020

The Methodist societies in the
United States of America, in
July, 1813, (the date of the
last returns) included, whites 171,448

Coloured people and blacks 42,859

214,307
436,327

There are besides, 685 regular tra\'elling
preachers stationed in Great Britain ; 56 on our
foreign missions; 114 in Ireland; and 678 in the
American Methodist Connexion : making a total
of 1533 travelling preachers throughout the world,
and which are not included in the preceding

LIFE OF DK. COKE, 487

account of the numbers in society* And here it
may not be amiss to observe, that the number
of the preachers in 1814 was just three times as
many as they were twenty -four years before, at
the conference of 1790, the last before Mr. Wes-
ley's death* And the people, in the mean-time^
had increased in a still greater proportion, being
above three times and a half as many as they were
tben. In looking back to 24 years before the year
1790, I find that JNIethodism was more than
trebled during that period ; more than trebled
during the ^4 years preceding, which takes us back
to the very cradle of Methodism. I was so struck
with this calculation in the retrospective view, that
I calculated upon the same principle in looking
forward. And supposing Metliodism to be only
trebled in every 24 years, then all the world
would be Methodists before the end of six and
the commencement of seven thousand years
from the creation. And supposing the chief part
of the Methodists to be real Christians, and to
continue such, that we see, that upon a scale of
gradual increase, similar to what has been from its
beginning, yea, rather smaller than that, the
whole world would be Methodists by the period
whicli the ancient tradition fixes for the commence-
ment of the millenium. The traditional opinion,
handed down from time immemorial, is, that after
6ix thousand years of sin and sorrow, will be a
thousand years of holiness and happiness. This
is thought to have been prefigured in God's
working six days in creating the world, and all
things therein, and also in his appointment of man
to labour six days each week, and then rest on the
seventh. And to render this opinion the more

?robable, we are told, tliat " one day is with the
-.ord as a thousand years, and a thousand years
as one day."

488 LIFE OF DH. COKE.

And now when I consider, in addition to the
ISlethodists, what God is undeniably working by
different denominations of Dissenters, not only in
these islands, but by their foreign missions ; and
when I survey the goodly and greatly increasing
number of pious and useful ministers in the Es-
tablished Church, and their recent and zealous
exertions to promote foreign missions, I cannot
but hope and expect that the millenium will com-
mence many years before the year 6000 from the
creation, or 2000 from the birth of Jesus Christ.
Even so, Lord Jesus ; " thy kingdom come." —
Amen.

Dr. Coke continued his usual movements
through Great Britain and Ireland ; presiding
annually at the conference in Ireland, and gene-
rally, filling the office of secretary to the English
conference. And as the missions and missionaries
every year increased, and were attended by a great
increase of expense, the Doctor was obliged to
give all diligence in collecting money for this
most important charity. And this was then the
more necessary, as the exertions of the Doctor
then produced nearly all the support of these
missions. It was not till the year 1804 that pub-
lic collections were appointed to be made in the
different congregations. And till that time, no
account had been published of the receipts and
disbursements. But the conference of 1804
resolved, that a public collection for the missions
should be made in all the Methodist congregations
in every circuit of Great Britain, after the manner
of the collection for Kingswood school ; that an
annual account of all receipts and disbursements
should be published ; and that an account of the
spiritual state of the missions should be drawn up
by Dr. Coke, and published under the approba-
tion of the committee.

LIFE OF DR. COKE. 489

Dr. Coke was originally a man of some for-
tune. He possessed about three thousand pounds
which he received from his parents. In process of
time, all this was gone, except a small annuity,
for money which he had advanced to relieve some
of the missionary chapels in the West Indies. —
The rest of his property had been consumed, in
promoting the different missions, and in his ex-
pences to and from America and the West Indies,
upon the different visits he had paid them. For
about a year he had no private resources. But
on April the 1st, 1811, he married Miss Smith ;
she was the only child of Joseph Smith, Esq, soli-
citor, of Bradford, in Wiltshire. Through his
fondness for his daughter, and fearful of her form-
ing a connection with some person not agreeable
to him, he kept her almost a prisoner at home. —
She was piously inclined from her very childhood,
and employed her hours of solitude in sacred
music, in which she made some proficiency. She
was very much attached to Methodism and the
Methodists. But her father was differently dis-
posed, and would not permit her to join them.
And this was almost the only point in which he
crossed her. But after his death, she was at
full liberty openly to espouse the cause she had
long loved.

The Doctor became acquainted with her at
the Bristol Hot- Wells, when he was going about
begging for the missions. It does not appear that
lie had any previous knowledge of her. However,
a lady assuring him, that if he called upon JNliss
Smith, she would give him something handsome,
he took her address, called upon her, and told her
his usual tale, about his having " stepped forth in
behalf of the heathen." She went to the desk,
and brought from thence such a large donation as
16. 3 Q

490 LIFE OF DR. COKE.

freatly surprised as well as pleased the Doctor. —
n the account of Dr. Coke which is inserted in
my P<3rti'aiture of IMetliodism, it is said, she pre-
sented him with a note of One Hundred Pounds.
But the missionary report for that year, (1805,)
makes her a subscriber of Two Hiindked
Guineas. The only way to acquit myself of
inconsistency and self-contradiction upon this point
is to tell the truth ; and that is, that I did not
write that account, though it is in my Portraiture.
The publisher employed another person to write
that part.

Dr. Coke and jMiss Smith being united in
marriage, some difficulties arose. He had been
in the habit of travelling much, and of having no
fixed habitation, while she had almost always
lived and slept in tlie same house. And neitiier
her constitution nor her habits seemed suited to
an itinerant life. She had, however, a willing
mind ; brought her mind to her circumstances ;
and laboured to be happy and agreeable wherever
she came. But she could not endure to travel
long journies, which made the movements of the
Doctor very slow from what they had formerly
been. But as she brought with her a fortune of
more than twenty thousand pounds, they pos-
sessed ample means for rendering their travels
comfortable.

The Doctor now bought a plain carriage, in
which they took their routes ; but he did not en-
cumber himself with either horses or servants.-^
He hired post-horses and drivers at the different
stages. There was something singularly striking
in the appearance of this couple when together. — '
She was remarkably fond of the Doctor, and con*
stantly manifested this ; while he did every tiling
in his power to accommodate and serve her. A
striking simplicity, accompanied by exemplary

LIFE OF BR. COKE. 491

and zealous piety, might be seen in every move-
ment, and in every thing they did and said. They
did not, indeed, appear to have the most conve-
nient method of packing up their higgage. A
great deal of this was tied up in separate handker-
chiefs ; and the vast quantities of these little pack-
ages would sometimes occasion an innocent smile,
and a pleasant remark by the spectators, at the
times of loading and unloading. Sometimes a
considerable pile of these things was with them in
the carriage. This, however, did not prevent
them from labouring to do good even while the
carriage was in inotion. Quantities of religious
pamphlets came flying out of the windows of
their chariot, on the roads and in the streets, when
they saw persons who were likely to gather them
up and read them.

They seemed very happy in each other, and
were constantly and zealously united in every pos-
sible effort to do good. But after an union of
little more than six years, she died. Her death
was like her life, full of holiness and happiness. —
The Doctor accompanied her remains from Lon-
don to Brecon, and had her interred in his family
vault in the Priory Church.

Not much above a year after this regretted
loss, he married INIiss Loxdale, of Liverpool; a
lady of reputable family, and who had long been
eminent for piety. But her health v/as too deli-
cate for a person who was to ac<?ompany the Doc-
tor in his travels. Neither during this marriage,
nor the former one, did the Doctor keep any
home of his own, but moved from town to town,
and from one county to another. Both the friends
of Miss Loxdale, and those of the Doctor, gave
their advice against this marriage. But the par*
ties were irrevocably determined. In the course
of seven short months, however, she died while

492 LIFE OF DK. COKE.

t]iey were at York. She also died the death of
the rigliteous. He accompanied her remains also
to Brecon, and buried her along with his former
wife. And in this same vault did he wish to be
interred, let him have died wherever he might.
Yea, had he died in India, or wherever else, his
executors had it in strict charge to bury him in
the Priory Church of Brecon. But the time and
manner of his death rendered this impossible. In
the two principal points upon which his mind was
set, did God see meet to disappoint him : I mean,
his personal establishment of a mission in India,
and having his body to rest with those of his
beloved wives till the morning of the resurrection.
Man proposes, but God disposes; and yet he
is wise in his dohigs, and holy and righteous in
all his ways.

The Doctor now seriously turned liis atten-
tion to India, which he had long wislied to visit.
Individuals of the East India Company he had
often sounded on the subject of a mission to that
rich but idolatrous region, but he found no encou-
ragement. But the island of Ceylon not being in
the charter of the company, he fixed upon it his
special attention.

Before we proceed to say any thing about
Ceylon in particular, it may be proper to say
something about India in general. India is an
extensive region in Asia, which lies between 66
and 108 degrees east longitude, and 8 and 36
degrees nortji latitude. Under this name is
generally understood all the countries which lie
south of Tartary, and extend from the eastern
frontiers of Persia to the western coasts of China,
divided into India within, and India without, the
GaTiges. The moderns have likewise included,
under the denomination of the East Indies, the
islands of Japan, with all the islaiids in the Eas-

LIFE OF DR. COKE. 493

teni and Indian Oceans, nearly as far as ISTew Hol-
land and New Guinea. But the name of India
is most frequently applied to that country only,
wliich is distinguislied in Asia, as well as in
Europe, by the name of Hindoostan. And the
chief part of that I shall have occasion to mention,
besides Ceylon, is what is often termed the Penin-
sula of India.

It is a great mystery of Providence, that the
chief part of this fine country should have
remained in pagan darkness till little more than
a century ago ; and it is lamentable, that the
chief part of the inhabitants are gross idolators.

But I proceed now to give some account of

The Danish JNIission to India.

In the beginning of the 18th century, the
King of Denmark, on the recommendation of one
of his chaplains, resolved to attempt the conver-
sion of the heathen, on the coast of Coromandel.
He engaged two young men, Bartholomew Zieg-
enbalg, and Henry Plutclio, who were educated
at the university of Halle, in Upper Saxony,
and they embarked at Copenhagen, in November,
1705. After an agreeable voyage of about seven
months, they arrived at Tranquebar, the principal
town belonging to the Danes in that quarter of
the world. They lost no time. A barbarous kind
of Portuguese, which had been introduced about
two centuries before, and was now spoken by
many of the natives, they had begun to study on
the voyage. In less than four months after their
arrival, they were able to catechise the people in
this tongue. They then began to learn tlie
Tamidian, the vernacular language of the country.
They encountered great difficulties in this
study, but at length succeeded. Zicgenbalg

494? I.IFE OF DR. COKE.

especially became very expert in this language. —
But while they were preparing to preacli to the
natives, they preached to the Germans on the
Sabbath-days, held religious meetings on the week
days, instituted a charity school, and translated
I.utlier's Shorter Catechism, and some prayers and
liynms, into the Portuguese and Tamulian lan-
guages. Plutcho superintended the exercises in
Portuguese, and Ziegenbalg those in the Tanui-
lian language.

But the prejudices of education, the frightful
consequences of loss of caste, which is a sort of
outlawry, the scandalous lives of professed chris-
tians, and the opposition of the resident Euro-
peans, threw difficulties in their way, almost
insurmountable. The Danish governor himseLf
was their opposer ; but the king was on their
side.

Before they had been there t^vo years, they
baptized five of the natives, and with much diffi-
culty erected a place of worship, where they
instituted public worship in Tamul and Portu-
guese, agreeably to the Danish liturgy, which they
translated into both these lanmiaixes.

Plutcho opened a Portuguese and Danish
school, and Ziegenbalg a Tamulian one ; but so
numerous were their scholars, that each was
obliged to divide his school into two, and employ
an assistant.

They suffered for want of pecuniary aid. The
first subsidy of 2,000 imperial pieces, sent from
Europe, was lost in the sea near Tranquebar. But
other help was obtained. The King of Denmark
continued warmly to befriend the mission; and
the society for promoting christian knowledge,
established in Eondon a few years before this,
warmly espoused the cause of the Danish mis-
sionaries. And this society lias ever since been

LIFE or DR. COKE. 495

the principal instrument in supporting and extend-
ing that undertaking. Large contributions were
raised at that time, in different parts of England,
and a printing-press, and all things necessary to
enable them to print, were sent. And from this
period, the missionaries published vast quantities
of books every year, and circulated them among
the natives, who received them with great avidity,
read them to their neighbours, and conversed
about their contents with the missionaries and one
another. A general movement about religion was
excited in the country. Some attempted to pre-
vent this circulation of the books ; but the King
of Denmark ordered the governor and council at
Tranquebar to allow tlie missionaries to publish
whatever books they should judge necessary for
promoting Christianity among the natives.

In October, 1714, Ziegenbalg visited Europe,
in order to promote the interests of the mission.
The King, Queen, and lloyal Family of Den-
mark, treated him with tlie utmost kindness, and
they and others loaded him with many valuable
presents. In travelling from Denmark to Halle
in Saxony, all ranks of people treated him with
much attention and respect. The Duke of Wur-
temberg ordered a contribution to be made through
his dominions.

After marrying in Germany, Ziegenbalg
visited England, and nmch attention and respect
were paid to him by all orders, and especially by
the society for promoting christian knowledge.
He had an audience of the king, George the First,
and other members of the royal family : and the
Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr. Wake, and the
Bishop of London, promised him their utmost
assistance and support. He then hastened back to
India, where he anived safe after a voyage of be-
tween five and six months. Durinsr his absence the

496 LIFE OF DR. COKE.

mission had been carried on successfully, not-
withstanding some opposition from some of the
natives.

Zieq-enbalff's translation of the New Testament
into the Tamul language was now printed and
published ; and soon after a seminary v/as insti-
tuted for the education of some Tamulian boys,
for catechists and school-masters, of w^hich
there was great need. The plan succeeded so
well, that in a short time four of tliese youths
could assist them.

King George the First corresponded with
them, and wrote them letters Avith his own hand.
In answer, they told his majesty how they were
going on, and how they spent their time. They
told him, they were endeavouring to spread abroad
the seed of God's word among the heathen ; that
iliey employed converted Indians to assist them,
as catechists ; that they had translated the New
Testament, and were then translating the Old Testa-
ment into the Malabarian and Portuguese langua-
ges; that they every year composed some books
for instructing the heathen in the principles of
tlie christian religion ; that some, particularly the
brahmins, or priests, gainsayed and scoffed; that
others abandoned idolatry; that they instructed
the members of the congregations with all dili-
gence, that Christ might be formed in them ; that
they catechised them daily ; that they held meet-
ings for prayer and religious conversation three
days a week ; and that they gave every one fair
occasion to communicate their concerns. Their
letter was dated November the 18th, 1718.

But Ziegenbalg was attacked with a disorder
in his bowels, which in about six months termin-
ated in his death. But though afflicted, he con-
tinued to labour, especially in translating the Old
TQStament into the Tamulian, till near his end. —

LIFE OF DB. COKE. 497

He expressed his desire to depart and be with
Christ; and on February the 23d, 1719, he breath-
ed his last, amidst the prayers, tears, and groans of
those who were present. Even the Pagans be-
wailed his death with many tears.

Shortly after his death, more missionaries
arrived, which was a gi'eat consolation to Grundler,
who was now the leading missionary. He took
great pains in preparing the new missionaries for
their work ; and shortly after he was called to a
better world. Daring his last days his whole
soul seemed "absorbed in the contemplation of
eternal things ; and after lingering a few weeks,
he died March the 19th, 1730, in the 43d year of
his age, and was buried the next day.

Shultze, one of the last comers, and his fel-
low-missionaries, encouraged themselves in God,
and resolved to stand fast, and quit themselves
like men. And notwithstanding unfavourable
circumstances, the mission was not only continued
but extended by them.

Ziegenbalg having translated the Old Testa-
ment, as far as Ruth ; Shultze, after two years of
arduous labour, in which he generally spent six
hours a day, finished the remainder, to the great
joy of the Indian Christians.

The circulation of the works which the mis-
sionaries printed was not confined to the immediate
scene of their labours ; but they were dispersed to
Bombay, Ceylon, the Cape of Good Hope, and
other places.

They now passed the boundaries of the Da ^
nish territories, and went into sundry parts ; and
at length arrived at Madras. Here, and in the
neighbourhood, Shultze laboured with unwearied
diligence in promoting true religion among Pagans
and nominal Chiistians. He preached in more
16. 3 R

498 LIFE OF DB» COKE.

than a hundred places, making his jotirnies chiefly
on foot.

He settled in Madras, wdth a view of estab-
lishing a mission in that part of the country, in
which he was patronized by the Society for pro-
moting Christian Knowledge. There were many
difficulties ; but in the year 1728 he baptized 17
natives, and the next year 140 more : and after-
wai'ds the increase continued to be considerable.
Numbers of these converts had been Roman
Catholics, which greatly enraged their priests
against the mission : and some of the Catholics
proceeded to acts of violence.

Shultze preached four times on a Lord*s-day,
in the Tamulian, the Telinga, and the Portuguese
languages : and he translated the Old and New
Testaments into Telinga, though it does not
appear that this work was ever printed.

The way was now preparing for the introduc-
tion of the gospel into the kingdom of Tanjore»
through the instrumentality of a native of that
country, whose grandfather had been a Roman
Catholic, and himself had been baptized in his
infancy. He had an eager desire for knowledge,
and read many Popish books. In reading a medi-
tation on the sufferings of Christ he was con*
vinced of sin, and made sensible of his miserable
and helpless state. Meeting with a copy of the
four Evangelists, and the Acts of the Apostles,
he borrowed it, and read day and night, and
resolved to copy the whole, and got near the end
of Liuke.

After some time, he heard of the Danish
missionaries, and wrote to them for some books,
when they sent him Luther's Catechism, the
whole of the New Tesiament, two parts of the
Old, and some sliort advices how to read the holy
scriptures with understaiiding and profit. After

LIFE OF DH GOKE. 499

this, he and his two brothers went and spent a
Sabbath at Tranquebar, and proposed sundry
doubts to the missionaries. Their answers con-
vinced them of the errors of Popery. He now
laboured to instruct both Pagans and Roman
Cathohcs, and in some instances was successful. —
Other circumstances concurred to open the way of
the missionaries into thekingdom of Tanjore, where
a small church, or ciiristian society, was imme-
diately formed. But the llomish priests, who had
a prior footing there, raged horribly against the
missionaries, but in vain,

Rajanaiken, the person just mentioned, hi-
therto a military officer, now resolved to leave the
army, and devote his life to the service of the
mission. His offer was gladly accepted, and he
was appointed a catechist in that part of the
country, with one of his brothers to assist him.
The Roman Catholics became so violent against
him, that they collected the inhabitants of 18
villages to destroy his house. They also propa-
gated far and near false and absurd accusations
asfainst the Reformer Martin Luther. The reader
will here recollect, that these missionaries being
of the Church of Denmark, they ^vere Lutherans
both as to doctrine and discipline.

These persecuting Papists, who appear to have
been true sons of the Church of Rome, tried to
deprive Rajanaiken of part of his property,
wounded ^lis brother, and so beat his father, that
he died about two hours after. They, also fre-
quently made attempts on his own life, wliile he
displayed great fortitude, patience, and a forgiving
s])irit. The contrast between their conduct and
his, tended greatly to promote! the Protestant mis-
sion. Catholic converts, as well as Pagans and
^lahometans, came daily to Tranquebar to hear
the missionaries, and get some of their books. —

500 LIFE OF DE. COKE.

Almost all the Roman Catholics in the neigh-
bourhood of Rajanaiken became Protestants. —
Converts increased and multiplied, and many of
them were chiefly indebted to the cathechists, the
utility of whom being so apparent, the mission-
aries used great endeavours to prepare them for
their work. And they selected a suitable
native to be pastor over the congregations in
the country.

At tlie close of the year 1736, the whole
number of the converts made since the commence-
ment of the mission, was 3517; of whom 2329
were still living.

In the year 1741, the country congregations
had so increased in number, that a second na-
tive preacher was ordained, who was a man of
some talents, and well acquainted with the
Bible.

In 1747, Benjamin Shultze, after labouring
in India for 24 years, returned to Europe, where
he still promoted the interests of the Oriental
mission.

In 1747, the whole number of converts
since the commencement of the mission at Tranr
(juebar, including children baptized in their
infancy, amounted to 8056 ; of whom 5235 .were
still alive.

We come now to the history of that burning
and shining light

Mr. Swaetz.

Christian Frederick Swartz v as born in Ger-
many, in 1726, and engaged himself as a mis-
sionajy to India, under the protection of the
Danish JMission C< Uege. At the University of
Halle he became acquainted with the Rev. Ben-
jumin Shultze, before-mentioned, who was return-

LIFE OF DR. COKE. 501

ed from India. It was in contemplation to print
the Bible in Tamid ; and Mr. Swartz was ap-
pointed to learn that language, in order to correct
the press. The design was, however, relinquished ;
but the studies of a year and a half, employed
in learning that language, were not lost, as they
led to his being appointed a missionary to India.

In the year 1750, and when about 24? years
of age, he embarked for India, with two other
missionaries, named Huttman and Polzenhagen,
and after a voyage of about six months, they
arrived safe at Tranquebar.

After labourino; with his colleagues for some
years at Tranquebar, Mr. S^vartz established him-
self at Tritchinapoly, under the patronage of the
Society for promoting Christian Knowledge. This
society had various missionary stations towards
the southern part of the Indian Peninsula ; and in
the year 1766, this new one was established at
Tritchinapoly, and JNlr. Swartz was appointed to
preside over it. The erection of a church at this
place was in a great measure owing to the
patronage and exertions of Colonel John Wood,
who was at that time commandant of the fort.

The heart of Mr. Swartz was much set on
Tanjore. He often visited it, and used great
endeavours to do spiritual good to the Pagan inha-
bitants. He had several conversations with the
king on religion, and preached before him and his
officers. The heathen began to be more inquisi-
tive about Christianity, which gave Mr. Swartz
great encouragement. But the conversion of some
Roman Catholics roused the rest of them into a
persecuting fury. He found the Jesuits to be the
most inveterate enemies of the mission. They
continually stirred up the people to acts of violence
against him.

He took vmwearied pains with his native

502 LIFE OF DR. COKE.

assistant catechists, in preparing them for, and
directing them in their work. Except those who
were employed on distant stations, he instructed
them daily to explain the doctrines of the gospel,
to use the most winning address, and to over-
look the passionate speeches and rough treatment
they might have to endure. In the morning, after
uniting in prayer, and reading and explaining
some part of the holy scriptures, he sent them off
into various parts of the country, " to tr}%" as he
said, " whether they might not be so happy as to
bring some of their wandering brethren into the
way of truth." In the evening they gave hini
an account of the labours of the day, and the
encouragements and discouragements they had
met with. Then the day closed with meditation
and prayer.

Mr. Swartz was accustomed to converse with
the different ranks of the natives in the most free
and affectionate manner. Multitudes would listen
to him while he explained the doctrines of the
gospel, and would confess the folly of their own
religion. But many of their convictions seemed
to be momentary, and in some, probably, their
declarations were mere oriental compliments.

He laboured also with great zeal and faithful-
ness for the salvation of the Europeans, both
civil and military : and it is said, that in various
instances his ministry was successful among the
soldiers of the garrison, to whom he acted as cliap-
lain. He opened English and Tamulian schools
in simdry places, and was most affectionate and
unwearied in his attention to the children. Poor
widows, also, obtained a share of his benevo-
lence, for whose reception he built a small row
of houses.

About the year 1779 he erected a church in
the city of Tanjorc. Hut at the time of doing

LIFE OF DR. COKi:. 503

this, the goTernment and council of Madras
desired him to go to Seringapatam, and undeceive
Hyder Ally, who harboured some mistaken sus-
picions, by giving him a fair declaration of their
pacific sentiments. And after some consideration,
he agreed to go, hoping to prevent evil, and to do
some good : and above all, hoping for an oppor-
tunity of conversing with many people about
the tilings of God, who might have never before
heard of a Redeemer, or the true God.

In Hyder Ally's country he spent three
months; met with, and preached to some of his
former acquaintance and disciples; got a plain
answer from Hyder Ally to all the questions he
was ordered to propose to him; by which the
honourable board at Madras obtained the informa-^
tion they wanted.

On taking his leave, Hyder Ally presented
him with a bag of 300 rupees to defray the ex-
pences of his journey, wliich sum he offered to
the boaiti upon his return, because they had
borne his expences. But as they would not take
it, he laid it out in founding an JSngiish school at
Tanjore.

In the years 1781, 1782, and 1783, there
was a severe famine and other distresses in that
country. War raged in the Peninsula, and spread
slaughter and devastation. Mr. Swartz not only
preached and otherwise taught the principles of
true religion, but also exerted himself for the
relief of the temporal disti-esses of the people. —
His congregations increased, hunger inducing
mady to resort to him for help.

The famine was great and long, so that a person
in vigorous health was scarcely to be seen. The
mental powers of the people were enfeebled, while
their bodies were like walking skeletons. He
laid in a quantity of rice, while the price was

504 LIFE OF DR. COKE.

moderate, with which he preserved numbers from
perishing.

In 1785, Mr. Swartz acknowledged the
assistance he received from INIr. John Sullivan, the
President at Tanjore, on whose suggestion he
zealously entered into a plan for establishing pro-
vincial English schools throughout the country,
to facilitate the intercourse of the natives with the
Europeans. Such schools were established at sun-
dry of the principal places, and were attended
chiefly by the children of brahmins and merchants.
Several of the native princes, among w^hom was
the Rajah of Tanjore, assisted him in this under-
taking ; and the East India Company directed the
government of Madras to pay a hundred pounds
annually towards the support of each provincial
English school then existing, and the same sum
to every one which should afterwards be established.
And these provincial schools, as well as the Eng-
lish and IVlalabar ones, were attended with the
most beneficial effects. They furnished young
men who filled considerable employments under
the government : and some of the scholars were
out of the first families in the covmtry.

Such was the confidence placed in Mr. Swartz,
that in 1787, the Rajah of Tanjore, having
adopted one for his successor on the throne, he
solicited Mr. Swartz to be his guardian. He
expressed his willingness to serve him according
to his ability, but declared this service to be
beyond his power. The boy was but nine years
old; there were parties in the palace; and Mr.
Swartz could not see him more than once in a
month. He Avas therefore afraid that the life of
the child might be in danger, and the country
thrown into confusion. He therefore prevailed
upon the Rajah to make his own brother the
guardian.

LIFE OF DR. COKE. 505

The Rajah appropriated for ever the income
of a village, which was 500 pagodas, for the main-
tenance of the school, and more especially for the
orphans.

Mr. Swartz's labours were both extensive
and successful. He was the instrument of the
effectual and saving conversion of at least two
thousand of the natives '. of whom 500 were
Mahometans, and the rest Hindoos of different
castes. One said of him, " He was full of love to
Christ. He used to preach of the love of the
Redeemer till he wept, and then his hearers soon
became Christians." But his labours now drew
near their end. His strength visibly declined;
and he frequently spoke of his approaching disso-
lution, not as what he feared, but desired. He
sunk into a state of bodily debility, and after
enduring severe pain, thougli without a murmur
or complaint, and displaying an interesting exam-
ple of christian faith, fortitude, and joyful hope,
without a struggle or a groan, on the 13th of
February, 1798, he gave up the ghost, aged 72
years, 48 of which he had been a missionary in
India. Christians and Pagans bewailed his death ;
and the rajah himself, to whom he had been tutor,
bedewed his corpse with his tears. What property
he had, he bequeathed to the mission and the poor.
The East India Company erected a monument to
his memory at Madras.

Mr. Gericke now became the leading man in
this mission. About the year 1801, he visited
the southern districts to collect and comfort the
poor converts, who had suffered great distress by
the rebellion of the Polygars, and the consequent
war. The villages anxiously waited his expected
arrival, that they might enjoy the benefits of his
ministry. They had before enjoyed the labours
16. 3 S-

506 LIFE OF DR. COKE.

of the native ministers and the catechists, but
now they broke their idols to pieces, and conveiled
their Pagan temples into Christian churches, in
which jNIr. Gericke preached to them. He formed
them into congregations, procured for them cate-
chists and school-masters, and got them, in each
place, to choose four elders, according to the form
of the Lutheran Church. These examples roused
the whole country, so that the inhabitants of other
villages requested him to " come over and help
them." But he could not stop, and so recommend-
ed them to the care of the native ministers and
catechists. In this joimiey he baptized about
1300 people; and after he was gone, the native
teachers formed 18 new congregations, and bap-
tized 2700 persons, making the whole number 4000.

Soon after Mr. Gericke's return from this
expedition, he was seized first with a fever, and
then with a disorder in his bowels, which, on the
2d of October, 1803, in the 62d year of his age,
and the 38t]i of his missionary labours in India,
removed him out of time into eternity. His death
caused inexpressible grief among all classes of
people. He possessed so much gentleness, meek-
ness, humility, and other branches of holiness, that
many used to call him The Primitive Christian,
Eeing possessed of considerable property, lie
largely contributed to the support of his fellow-
missionaries during his life ; and when he died he
left about £6000 to the mission, with a consider-
able Sinn more, together with a large house, on
the decease of his widow. He was a burning and
a shining light, and his memory is blessed.

In the year 1806, the Rev. Claudius Bucha-
nan, D. D. visited the principal missionary stations
on tlie coast of Coromandel, and has favoured the
world with a very interesting account of his tour,
in his book entitled " Christian Researches in

LIFE OF DK. COKE. 507

Asia." It contains a general view of the present
state of the mission, and has greatly contributed
to draw the atteiition of the pious in England, to
the state of the inhabitants of the East Indies,
and to excite their zeal to send them help. It was
chiefly this book which induced Dr. Coke to go
and spend a day with Dr. Buchanan at Kirkby-
Hall, near Boroughbridge, in Yorkshire; to
converse respecting the Indja missions. They
also corresponded upon the subject. But both of
them died not long after, and within a few months
of each other.

Dr. Buchanan tells us, that at Tranquebar
there are three missionaries superintending the
Hindoo congregations. He visited the churcli
built by Ziegenbalg, where his body lies on one
side of tlie altar, and that of Grundler on the
other. He saw the register of the church, and
the name of the first christian, or converted hea-
then, who was baptized there. In Ziegenbalg's
church, and from his pulpit, the Doctor first heard
the gospel preached to a congregation of Hindoos
in their own tongue. But he learnt, that religion
had suffered much in those parts from the impor-
tation of French infidelity. The Danes had be-
come indifferent to tlieir own religion, and there-
fore, at least indifferent to the conversion of tlie
Hindoos. And he remarks, that religion flou-
rishes more among the natives of Tanjore, and
other provinces, where there are but few Euro-
peans, than at Madras. European example in
large towns is the bane of christian instruction.

Dr. Buchanan next visited Tanjore. He
waited upon JNlajor Blackburn, who accompanied
him the next day on his visit to the rajah. Wiien
the first ceremonial was over, the rajah conducted
tliem to the grand saloon, adorned with the por-
traits of his ancestors; and immediately led

508 LIFE OF DR. COKE.

the Doctor up to the portrait of JMr. Svvartz.
He discoursed for a considerable time about " that
good man, whom lie ever reverenced as liis father
and guardian." Tlie rajah has erected a college
for Hindoos, ISIahometans, and Christians, in
which provision is made for the instruction of 50
christian children.

Dr. Buchanan preached in English in INIr.
Swartz's pulpit on the Sunday ; a missionary
preached in the Tamul language; and then ano-
ther in the Portuguese. And tlie next day he
heard a native preacher preach in the Tamul
language, with much natural eloquence, and visi-
ble effect.

The Doctor's next visit was to Tritchina-
poly, where is the first church which was built
by JMr. Swartz, and will hold near two thousand
people.

From a scarcity of missionaries, and tlieir
inability to get a sufficiency from Europe, a few
of the natives have been ordained.

Dutch Missions.

The island of Ceylon is situated between 7H
and 82 degrees of east longitude, and between (j
and 10 of north latitude. It is about 250 miles
long, and 195 broad. It does not appear that this
island was ever sufficiently supplied with ministers.
And when, in 1796, the Dutch possessions in
Ceylon became subject to England, the European
clergy became prisoners of war, and tiie native
ratechists were deprived of their salaries. The
duties of public worship and the education of
youth, became either totally neglected, or poorly
executed. JVJany of tlie churches fell into ruins ;
iind many of the natives who had professed Chris-
tianity relapsed into paganism. But after a lapse

LIFE OF DR. COKE. 509

of about three years, the British government re-
established the schools, and the Dutch ministers
resumed the cliarge of their congregations. Seve-
ral preachers were educated in the island, and
others, still better qualified, were brought from
the coast of Coromandel. A flourishing academy-
was established at Columbo, and there also is a
bible society.

The number of professing christians in this
island is said to be more than 300,000, and yet
the state of real religion is very low. The Dutch
ministers are almost all either dead or have left
the island. Many professing Protestant Christians
have relapsed into idolatry. And indeed num-
bers of these were never fully purged from pagan-
ism, but continued to worship the idol Buddhu.
Owing to the want of Protestant ministers, Dr.
Buchanan asserts, that 50,000 have joined the
Church of Rome, while very spacious Protestant
churches are now occupied by the Popish priests
from Goa, who have assumed almost undisturbed
possession of the island.-^

The Doctor met with considerable discou-
ragements in preparing for his missionary expe-
dition ; at last, however, he triumphed over every
obstruction. On December the 31st, 1813, he
sailed from Portsmouth for India, with the six
missionaries who had engaged to go with him.
These were, Messrs. Lynch, Ault, Erskine,
Harvard, Squance, and Clough, and two of their
wives. On this occasion, he wrote thus in his
journal: — My divine call to Asia has been so
indubitably clear, that, if all human aid had been
withheld, I should have been obliged to have
thrown every thing into the hands of my God, and
to have said to him, Here am I, send me to Asia.

* For a larger account of this mission see the extracts from
Buchanan in the Appendix.

ilO LIFE OF DR. COKE.

The Doctor, assisted by others, ordained
these missionaries before they left England. And
here, according to my promise, 1 will insert a copy
of the Letters of Orders, or Certificates, of Ordi-
nation, which he constantly gave to those whom
he ordained : —

" These are to certify to all whom it may concern,
that on the day of One Thousand

I, Thomas Coke, Doctor of Civil Law,
Bishop of the Methodist Episcopal Church, did, in the
fear of God, and with a single eye to his glory, by the
imposition of my hands and prayer (being assisted by
several ordained Elders of the Church of God) set
apart for the office of an Elder in the

Church of God, being persuaded that he was a fit person
for that holy office. And I do accordingly recommend
him as duly qualified to feed the Church of God, and to
administer the Holy Sacraments.

Given under my hand and seal, the day and year
above-named.

THOMAS -^rSealT^^ COKE.

Some time prior to his embarkation, he made
his will, and bequeathed the chief part of his pro-
perty, which was somewhat considerable, to the
preachers' fund.

He never set his foot on land again, afteit,
embarking at Portsmouth : but after being at sea
for four months and three days, he was found dead
in his cabin, on the morning of the 3d of May,
1814. For four months he had his health better
than most of the other passengers.

He complained a little, for two days before
liis deatli, but neither he nor liis friends appre-
hended any serious result. It is supposed that his
death was occasioned by a fit of apoplexy, to
which he was constitutionally pre-disposed.

LIFE OF DR. COKE. 511

As to a personal description of Dr. Coke, he
was, like Zaccheus, little of stature, beirg about
five feet and an inch in heiglit; he was strong,
stout, vigorous, and handsome; his neck was
rather short. The first time I saw him, which
was at Halifax, when he was about thirty-two or
thh'ty- three years of age, I thought him the most
liandsome man I had ever seen. His face was
remarkably pleasing, and continued so, notwith-
standing the increase of years, and fatiguing exer-
cises, to the end of his days. His countenance
was very open, and exhibited a striking mixture
of the fair and ruddy. His voice had in it a
peculiar softness and sweetness, together with
what might be called a great elasticity. In com-
mon conversation it appeared weak. But when
he began to swell and elevate it, in the pulpit or
the conference, it was then very loud and piercing,
as well as clear and melodious. But sometimes
when addressing very large congregations, he so
energetically exerted himself, as to border upon
screaming. His eyes were dark, and in liis
younger days his hair was very black.

His natural understanding was good, though
not of the first-rate description. His literary
attainments were i^espectable, without being-
extraordinary. His natural temper was ardent
and irritable. On some occasions this was very
apparent, in every state of his life; generally
this was but for a moment. Of him, as well as
of Mr. Wesley, it may be justly said,

*' He carried anger, as the flint bears fire ;
Which, much enforced, shews a hasty spark.
And straijfht is cold again."

A proneness to manifest too much sensibility
of mind, when provoked, in my opinion, was
his greatest defect. But seldom, if ever, did the
sun go down upon liis wrath. He studied no

51^ LIFE OF DR. GOKE.

revenge, and cherished no resentment. Often
would he stand corrected, and could beg pardon
with a peculiar grace. Often di4 he express the
humble views he had of himself, and in honour
preferred others. Tlie societies, and more espe-
cially the preachers, he loved as brethren, and was
courteous, pitiful, and kind. He was remarkably
free from every thing bordering on selfishness. — "
He had that charity that seeketh not her own. He
looked not so much on his own things as on the
things of others. And often might he be seen
following after the things which make for peace,
and tilings wherewith one might edify another.
He was a remarkably agreeable man to be asso-
ciated with in any employment or undertakings
He did not treat an inferior with contempt or neg-
lect, but behaved to all descriptions of people with
due civility and respect. He possessed and exer-
cised a large portion of true and sincere, yet very
graceful politeness. He could go into any sort of
company, however polished, and address any per-
sonages however dignified. He was therefore
peculiarly fitted for his situation, having frequently
to apply to the ministers of state, governors, and
other great men, in behalf of the missionaries
when persecuted, and for the introduction and
furtherance of the great work of missions, which
he had so much at heart.

The piety of Dr. Coke was lively and ge-
nuine, but was to be sought for more in his
actions than professions. It consisted more in
godly activity than religious contemplation, and
imposing appearances. He followed after righte-
ousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, and meek-
ness ; fighting the good fight of faith, laying hold
on eternal life, whereunto he was called. 1 Tim.
vi. 11, 12.

APPENDIX.

A LETTEE FEOM THE MISSIONARIES LATELY
SENT TO ASIA, TO THE MISSIONARY COM-
MITTEE IN LONDON.

Bombay, June 15, 1814.

Reverend and Dear Fathers,

WE wrote to you on the 4th instant, by the overland
dispatch, which we hope you have ah'eady received : we
therein gave you as full an account of our situation as our
limits would permit: we now present to you, not only
the substance of what we then transmitted, but also a
more full account of our voyage, of our late venerable
father, Dr. Coke, and also of ourselves.

1813. — Thursday, Dec. 30. — We left our very kind
friends at Portsmouth, and our little company divided, no
more to unite again in this life : each company went on
board our respective ships.

Friday y 31. — We set sail, in company with 6 India^
men, 5 ships of war, and about 20 merchantmen, that
were going to different parts of Europe, Asia, Africa,
and America. We had a fair wind.

1814. — Saturday, Jan. 1. — We made a little way
down the Channel, the wind being variable. We felt
our minds impressed with our situation : the season was
proper for reflection : we entered on this year with very
enlarged prospects of future labours in the heathen world.
Little did we think, that, to some of our little company,
this year would prove the last. North lat. 50 deg. 15 min.
West long. 3 deg. 11 min.

Sunday, '2. — The wind being contrary, we were de-
tained in the Channel ; and also on the 3d, till towards
the evening, when the wind sprung up fair. About 8 or
9 in the evening, we had the last sight of the Light-House
at Lizard Point

17. 3 T

514 • APPENDIX TO TtiE

Tuesday, 4, — We entered the Bay of Biscay with i.
strong g-ale : the rolling of the ships now became very
violent, and we expected that a general sickness AvoukI
ensue.

fVedneadm/, 5. — The sea ran very high : the motion
of the ships increased much : most of us were now taiven
sick: our sickness continued to increase till Sundai/, 9,
when we hecame more accustomed to the motion ; but
our sickness continued, ((houcrh somewhat abated,) till
■we were out of the Bay of Biscay. Indeed, the rough
weather continued, with squalls and gales, and a great
swell, till Jan. 23, when we passed Madeira. North
lat. 46 deg. 44 min. West long. 8 deg. 5 min.

Su7idaj/, 23. — Ahout 10 o'clock this d:iy, Madeira was
in sight ; but the sea was so high, and the wind so
violent, and blowing off' from land, that we could not
make the shore. The ship Fort-fVilliam lost her main-
top and mizen-mast ; she could not proceed with the
fleet : the Briton frigate took charge of her. We passed
Madeira at 2 o'clock in the afternoon. North lat. 32 deg.
24 min. West long. 16 deg. 5 min.

Tuesday, 25. — We passed the island of Palma : we
had now a more pleasant breeze, a smoother sea, and
finer weather, than any we had had before, since we
embarked. North lat. 29 deg. 43 min. West long. 19
deg. 18 min.

Sundaj/, 30. — We had very fine weather anct pleasant
sailing. Lat. 19 deg. South. West long. 25 deg. 26
min. This was the first Sunday that we could have
prayers on deck.

On this day the brethren who sailed on board the
Lady Melville were very much rejoiced to see Mrs.
Ault rise from her long confinement. From the time
that she came on board till this day, she had been vio-
lently afflicted with sea-sickness. She Was now much
reduced. Her sutferings were extreme. She was poorly
Avhile at Portsmouth, though brother Ault did not then
apprehend danger.

On Monday, 31, she again sat up a little ; she Was,
^luring the whole of her affliction, quite happy and
resigned, always pleasant and cheerful, enjoying sweet
union and communion with God.

Tuesday, Feb. 1st.— Our dear sister Ault still con-
tinued much better, and appeared Jo be fast recovering ;,

LIFE OF DR, COKE. 515

she again rose and was rlpessed, hut it zms the last time.
She could not get on deck, but as the Cabalva was near,
and as our venerable, but now deceased father, Dr. Coke,
with the brethren Harvard and Cloug'h, were on the
poop, looking towards the Lady Melville, she summoned
her feeble powers, and after much exertion, with the
assistance of brother Ault, contrived to ohtain a sight of
them from the port of her cabin. It is scarcely possible
to describe the affection with which she viewed tliem, or
the enjoyment which the sight afforded her ; she particu-
larly rejoiced to see Mrs. Harvard, whom she clearly
discerned standing with brother Harvard on the poop,
though the distance between the ships was considerable.
She afterwards went a second time, and a third time, to
view the little company, from which she had been sepa-
rated nearly five weeks. We almost hoped that now the
bitterness of death was past ; but alas ! this was the last
time that she could sit up at all. Our dear sister now
retired to her bed, and from this time continued to decline,
till Feb. 9, when, about seven o'clock in the evening,
while the brethren Lynch, Ault, Erskine, and Squance,
were commending her soul to God, silently kneeling on
their knees round her bed, she quietly and imperceptibly
breathed her last, and her happy spirit entered into tlie joy
of her Lord. So composed was her death, that it could
scarcely be ascertained when this life ended, and immor-
tality commenced. For a more full account of her very
triumphant exit, we refer you to Mr. Wood of Deptlord,
to whom brother Ault transmitted an account.

Feb. IQ. — North lat. 3 deg. 14. min. West long. 22.
deg. 10 min.i — The body of the deceased was committed
to the deep : brother S qua nee performed the burial ser-
vice, and brother Lynch concluded with prayer.

Mrs. Harvard, during tlie former part of the voyage,
was very much afflicted with sea sickness, though since
we have come between the tropics, she is perfectly
recovered.

Saturday, 12. — For some days past we have had heavy
rain. Wednesday, 9, we had thunder and lightning. This
is generally the case near the Line. North lat. 2 deg.
56 min. West long. 20 Ae^. 43 min.

19 — The ridiculous ceremony, as usual among the
sailors, was performed this day, as we passed the Line.
During several days past we have had nearly a calm, and

516 APPENDIX TO THE

very sultry hot Avcather. North lat. 00 deg;. 18 mio.
West long-. 24 de^. 3(5 rain.

Moiidai/, 28. — The American ships parted company
for the Brazils. Dr. Coke sent by them some letters to
England. South lat. 11 deg. 11 min. West long. 32
deg. 3 min.

Tuesday^ March 1. — The Scaleby Castle left us for
St. Helena, in which we sent our letters to Europe.
South lat. 12 deg. 47 min. West long. 32 deg. 14 min.
Saturday, 5. — Brother Squance being at this time
Yery unwell, he left the Lady Melville, and went on
board the Cubalva, at Dr. Coke's pariicular request : the
Doctor hoped that the change ot conspany would be of
service to his healtli. South lat. 17 deg. 44 min. West
long. 38 di»g. 12 min.

Wednesday/, lb. — The commodore left us, and took
our letters to the Cape of Good Hope. South lat. 31
deg. 45 min. West lung. 27 deg. 20 min.

23. —This morning the wind sprung up, and toward
the evening was very high, though yesterday the sea was
so calm that a shark was caught, which is never the
case except in cilm weather ; we had now a very high
sea and large swell, which continued for a considerable
time, till we had passed the Cape of Good Hope. South
lat. 36 deg. 14 min. West long. 19 deg. 00 min.

Moiidai/, 28, — Some time this morning the Cabalva
lost sight of (he lleet ; which vv.'-s a source of olBictioii
to all our company ; we were now separated, and afraid
that we should never meet again till we arrived in Bom-
bay, but our apprehensions were soon over ; we joined
company again the next day. South lat. 38 deg. 11 min.
West long. 4 deg. 13 min. ^

Taesdaj/, April 5. — We had a storm. The fleet ran
JO miles an hour ; the Cabalva with only 2 top-sails
close reefed ; the Lady Melville had no other than the
foretop-sail close reefed; the violence of the wind con-
tinued till about 11 o'clock at night, when the wind and
sea suddenly fell, and we had a better night than was
expected. We were apprehensive of danger from the
Telemach shoals, which were supposed to be near South
lat. 38 (leg. East long. 22 t\eg. 09 min.

i-'riday, \b. — Brother Squance left the ship Cabalva,
and went on board the ship Lady Melville ; he was
much the same in health ass when he left the l^ady MeL

LIFE OF DR. COKE. 517

ville. South lat. 31 deg. 30 min. East long. 50 deg.
43 min.

fVednesdai/y 20.-~-We had a fresh gale : a sailor fell
down the hatchway of the Lady Melville ; his skull was
fractured : a man fell overboard from the Neptune, and
was lost : a man fell from the maintop-mast of the El-
phiustone. How awful are these providences ! Several
sailors have, during the voyage, fallen overboard from
the different ships ; and, from the violence of the sea,
could not be taken up again. South lat. 26 deg. 32 min,
ijast long 54 deg. 35 min.

Saturday/, 23. — We passed the island of Bourbou.
In the evening, thouffh 12 leagues from shore, we very
distinctly saw, with the naked eye, the irruption of the
volcano ; the streams of fire were seen issuing forth with
great velocity ; the mountain being high, the flames at
first appeared like a comet in the heavens, with a large
blaze of fire following in its train ; it was seen the whole
evening, sometimes blazing out very bright indeed, but
at other times feeble and dim. South lat. 21 deg. 58
min. East long. 55 deg. 50 min.

Sunday, 2i. — Passed the Isle of France early in the
morning. South lat. 19 deg. 46 min. East long. 56
^eg. 44 min.

Wednesday, 27. — At five iu the evening we passed the
Island of Gallega, about five miles distant : the sounding
line was thrown out, but no sounding made at fifty
fathoms, though danger v/as apprehended. Here a
Frenchman resides, with his family, and a few slaves.

Tuesday, May 3. — This day God has visited us
with a most awful and afflictive dispensation. Our highly
esteemed and venerable head is taken from us. T)r. Coke
is dead. This morning he was found dead in his cabin.
While we view every circumstance of this most distres-
sing visitation, Ave are led to wonder and adore. 'I'he
event would have been less alarming had he been encir-
cled by his friends, who might have heard his latest tes-
timony, received his dying instructions, and obtained
directions how to proceed in the work of this great mis-
sion ; but these advantages were not enjoyed, and we are
now left to lament the departure of our Elijah, and to trem-
ble for the cause of God. He is gone ! and he is gone to
receive a crown of righteousness that fadeth not away.
His death, though a loss to us aud to the cause of God,

518 APPENDIX TO THE

to himself is infinite g^ain, Tlioii^li sudden, his death
was glorious : he died in the work of God, with his soul
fired with iin ardent desire and zeal for the enlarij^ement
of his church, and the Divine glory. For some time
before his death, it appeared that he had no desire to live,
but to seethe gospel estahUshed in Asia. He frequently
observed, that he had given up his life to Asia; and it is
astonishing with what assiduity he pursued his object.
Though near 67 years of age, in a short time he acquired
such a knowledge of the Portuguese language, that he
had written many sermons, and translated many hymns :
this work he was engaged in but yesterday, and he is
now enjoying his reward. Thus did he

" His body vithliis charge lay clown,
Ami cease at once to work and live,"

About 6 o'clock this morning the captain sent for
brother Clough, and communicated to him information
of the death of Dr. Coke, which had been first discov-
ered by the servant, upon his entering to call the Doctor
at half past five, which was his usual practice. He was
found lying upon the floor in a lileless state. Brothev
Clough immediately opened the melanclioly subject to
brother Harvard in a prudent way. Upon the fiirst men-
tion of the distressing circumstance, brother Harvard
could scarcely receive the information ; but at length
being prevailed upon to believe it, he hasted to the
cabin of the late Doctor, when, alas ! he found the fact
to be mournfully certain. The corpse of the Doctor,
which had been moved from the floor, was laid upon the
bed: it appeared but little discomposed: a placidity
rested upon his countenance : his head appeared turned
(ju one side. The surgeon, after examining the body,
gave it as his opinion, from the Doctor's habit of body,
that his death might have been produced by an attack of
apoplexy. It is supposed, that he rose in the night to
reach something that he wanted ; and, the stroke coming
upon him, lie fell in the posture in which he was found by
the servant : this must have been about midnight, as,
when discovered, the body was quite cold and stiff. It
is evident that the Doctor must have had an easy death ;
since neither Captain Birch nor Mr. Harvard heard any
struggling or noise, which they would undoubtedly have

LIFE OF DR^ COKE. 519

<3one had thete been any, as each of their cabins imme-
diately joined with the Doctor's, and were only divided
from it by a very thin wainscot partition.

Captain Birch very kindly offered a boat to proceed
to the Melville, and brother Harvard wrote a note to the
brethren on board that vessel, to prepare their minds for
the scene which awaited them; When the note was read,
all were as though thunderstruck ; the brethren felt as if
they were electrified even to stupidity, and could scarcely
believe what they read. While thus exercised, some-
times ^^ziug on the note, and then speechless looking at
each other, the surgeon of the Lady Melville entered
their cabin, with a letter from Captain Birch to Captain
Lochner, stating that Dr. Coke was dead. All their
fears were now realized, and they hastened to their bre-
thren on board the Cabalva ; our meeting on this occa-
sion may be more easily conceived than expressed. After
consulting together it was resolved to apply to Captain
Birch for the preservation of tiie mortal remains of our
departed father in the Lord. Brothers Ault and Clough
waited upon the captain ; he heard them with great atten-
tion, but stated difficulties so many and so insuperable,
that after maturely weighing the subject, we all con-
cluded that it was most proper to desist. Captain Birch
wished us to pursue our own plan, with respect to the
interment of our venerable friend, and politely sent a
note, desiring to know how we intended to proceed, stat-
ing his desire to shew every fesjject to the memorij of so wor-
thy and excellent a man.

At five o'clock in the evening the corpse was com-
mitted to the deep ; this was a most solemn and atreoting
time, the captain, the passengers, and the Avhole of the
ship's company, shewed him every respect ; the deck was
crowded on the occasion 5 a large, thick deal colFin had
been inade, and holes left in the boltom. The body was

f)laced therein, and being nailed up, was laid on the
eeward gang-way starboardside, respectfully covered
with signal flags. The av/ning was s])read, the soldiers
drawn up in a rank on deck, the ship's bell called toge-
ther the passengers and crew, and all seemed struck
with silent awe. Four cannon balls had been placed in
the coffin, decently tied up in as many bags, and placed
two at the head and two at the feet of the corpse. Bro-
ther Harvard read the burial service, brother Ault tbeit

520 APPENDIX TO THE

delivered an address suited to the subject, in which he
s])oke of the character, respectabiUty, and general use-
fulness of the Doctor, and of the happiness of the righ-
teous dead ; and from the sudden and unexpected disso-
lution of one wlio was but yesterday in life, took occasion
to shew the necessity that lay on each individual to niake
a speedy preparation, and stand in constant readiness for
death. Brother Lynch then read the 5 1st hymn, on the
53d page, Hark ! a voice divides the skj/, &)C. and conchtded
with an appropriate prayer. The whole of the service
was interesting and impressive, and the solemnity of the
occasion appeared to be felt by all present ; some were
-visibly affected ; may the impressions issue in their sal-
vation ! The corpse of the Doctor was committed to the
deep, South lat. 2 deg 29 min. East long. 59 deg. 29
niin. to wait the resurrection of the just.

As we have no doubt but every information respect-
ing so valuable and worthy a man will be acceptable, we
copy brother dough's account of the Doctor, which
embraces chiefly the latter part of his life, from the time
of his leaving London. Brotlier Clough being much
with him, had an opportunity of knowing much of the
Doctor during his short stay at Portsmouth, and on the
voyage. The propagation of the knov.iedge of Christ
in Asia was a subject which had rested on the mind of
our late venerable father for more than 20 years, but
(according to liis own account,) he received a stronger
and clearer evidence of the will of God on this subject,
in May, 1813, and was then more especially convinced
of the absolute necessity of adopting immediate
measures to hasten that important period, when the
heathen shall be given to our Lord Christ. His zeal,
fortitude, and patience (in contending with difficulties
which invariably stood in the way of so important an
undertaking, from the above period till he left London,)
are too well known by many in England to render any
further information necessary.

BIIOTHER CLOUGH'S ACCOUNT OF DR. COKE.

1813. — Dec. 10. — We left London and proceeded to
Portsmouth, where we were to embark. I have seldom
seen the Doctor more lively and happy than he has been

LIFE OF DR COKE. 5^1

this day ; be considered this as the commencement of hid
mission, and tlie thought that he had so far succeeded
in obtaining the consent of Conference, with six mission-
aries to accompany him, (and that these were all either
gone or on their way to Portsmouth,) afforded him un-
speakable pleasure. His happy soul would frequently
break forth in loud praises to God, who had thus far
opened his way to the East. When he had collected his
little party at Portsmouth, and they were all assembled
round him, he lifted up his heart and hands to God, and
broke forth in the following language : Here zee are, all
before God, now embarked in the most Important, and most
Glohigus work in the zoorld. Glory be ascribed to his
blessed name, that he has given you to be my companio7is
and assistants in carrying the gospel to the poor Asiatics; and
that he has not sneered Parents, Brothers, Sisters, or
the Dearest Friends, to stop any of you from accompanying
me to India. At this time he seemed as though he had
not a dormant faculty about him, every power of his soul
was now employed in forwarding the work in which he
had engaged.

We stayed several days in Portsmouth before we
went on board, during which period his whole attention
was fixed upon his work, and he was unwilling to attend
to any that was not connected with it : from morning to
night his eye was fixed upon it, as the eye of the racer
who continually keeps the prize in view. He would fre-
quently address himself to me, in language like the fol-
lowing ; — Brother C lough, zohat we are ?ioz0 doing lam
certain is for God ; and therefore zchat our hands find, to do
in this cause, let us do it with all our might. Here I might
mention a circumstance Avhich took place between us, a
little before we left London. As we were travelling in a
coach, upon some business relative to the Asiatic work,
in one part of our conversation, I presented a small
paper for him to read, which was not altogether connected
with the subject in hand ; Brother, said the Doctor, I
beg your pardon, but excuse me, I am dead to all things but
Asia. Though I wished him to read the paper, yet I
admired his unremitting zeal in so holy a cause. I con-
fess, it was one of the most powerful and instructive
lessons to me, and necessary to be observed in my future
life and conduct. I need nat add any thing more about
17. 3 U

522 APPEXDIX TO THE

him ; while at Portsmouth, there were several who had
the opportunity of observing his conduct, both in public
and private, who are better able to do justice to such a
combination of talent, holiness, and zeal.

Early on the morning- of Dec. 30, 1813, the signal
guns were fired from our commodore, for the fleet to un-
moor. I hastened to the Doctor, to inform him of it ;
upon receiving this intelligence, he exceedingly rejoiced.
The long-wished-for period was arrived. I collected his
remaining scattered articles ; meantime a servant of Cap-
tain Birch's arrived, leaving a note for tlie Doctor, con-
taining information that our ship unmoored at 7 o'clock
in the morning, and was then under weigh to St. Helen's.
After the Doctor had made the necessary arrangements,
he took his leave of his friends at Portsmouth, with that
feeling and afl'ection characteristic of his regard for them :
yet with that fortitude of spirit, which pouftrayed a
mind convinced of the necessity and importance of his
absence from them ; — whilst they, as a people who had
interest in the court of heaven, offered up their prayers
to God, that his aged and venerable servant might,
though in the evening of his days, so shine in Asia, as to
introduce the glorious morning star of the gospel in these
benighted regions.

When we had arrived safe on board, I was ready
to conclude that every anxious thought had taken its
flight from the Doctor ; I procured the carpenter to fix
up his bed ; after he had taken proper refreshment he
retired to rest, and slept as comfortably as though he had
been on land. The next morning he rose, and commenced
his usual practice, as one amidst busy multitudes alone;
he wrote several letters to send by the pilot to land, when
he left the ship. The ship's company began soon to
notice him as being a singular character. When we came
to the Bay of Biscay, and had to contend with gales of
wind, and tempestuous seas, the Doctor seemed alike
unmoved, and pursued his labours of prayer, study,
reading and writing, with as much settled composure of
mind, as though he had been on land. Now it was that
the Doctor, who had been to the present a suspected
person, began to gain the good opinion, attention, and
^ven respect of all of the passengers. His polite and
oasy address, his attaiuiueuts in literature, were conspi-
cuous traits ill his character^ and tltese, together with

LIFE OF DR. COKE. 523

llie sacred office which he sustained, attracted the vene-
ration of ali.

On Saturday/, Jan. 8, Dr. Coke proposed to g-ive a
short lecture upon some passage of scripture the next
day, after ihe captain had read prayers on deck : this
offer was not denied, but, the weather beinj^ unfavour-
able, we were prevented from having^ service in the
intended manner. However, this offer of the Doctor's
was not afterwards entreated ; this Avas rather a painful
subject of reflection to him, but he observed, " I believe
our captain has his reasons for it." Since the Doctor's
death. Captain Birch informed me that his instructions
from his employers were, that " he should ^o on just as
usual ;" the captain added, that it " had frequently been
a matter of pain to him, to hinder so excellent and
valuable a man from doing all the good in his power. I
cannot express the regard and respect which I have had
for Dr. Coke, since I have had tlio honour and very
great pleasure of knowing him;" but many of the pas-
sengers were disappointed ; they frequently expres-
sed their sorrow and regret that Dr. Coke could not
fu4fil his promise.

In the whole of his voyage he seemed to live with
his mind fixed on that passage, Eph. x. 16, Redeeming
the time. He had no idle moment, though in a ship : the
work in which he was engaged occupied his attention
next to communion with God ; every action of the day
tended to forward the work of God in Asia. In the
beginning of the voyage lie corrected part of the Old
and New Testament of the Portuguese Vulgate ; this he
intended to print immediately on our arrival at Ceylon ;
but when reflecting on the importance of setting the press
for the Old and New Testaments, and the infancy of our
work, it was thought proper to defer that at present, and
begin with something of less magnitude, such as Tracts,
Prayers, Hymns, Sermons, Portuguese Prayers, and
translate our Hymns ; I believe he has translated
nearly 50.

Drawing near the line, I begran to have serious
impressions that the Doctor would materially injure his
health, and expressed those fears to Mr. Harvard, who
was fully of the same opinion. I also consulted several
medical gentlemen on board the ship, who were wit-
nesses of his conduct ; and they gave it as their decided

524 APPENDIX TO THE

opinion, that if he pursued the same line of conduct in
India, he would very soon injure himself. But the
difficulty was how to prevail upon him to give up any,
or almost the whole of that employment in which he so
much delic^hted, and which he considered of such im-
portance. However, I would say, " Doctor, you cer-
tainly must take a little exercise in tlie open air upon
deck ; it will undoubtedly be conducive to your health ,"
he frequently complied ; at other times he would refuse,
stating, (no doubt, what in some respects was true,) that
the motion of the ship was a great deal of exercise to
him. Knowing the delight he took in viewing any thing
that was carious or new, I sometimes had him out several
times in a day, to see shoals of Hying fish chased by a
dolphin ; a shoal of porpoises ; the catching of a shark ;
to see a whale, or view an island ; and he always thanked
me for giving him the information, lie also took great
delight in viewing the beautiful appearance of the clouds
about sun-set, which iu those latitudes are strikingly
grand j and on these occasions I could sometimes keep
him upon deck for half an hour ; yfet he laboured very
hard, and always rose witii the siui ; so that when ipve
were under the Hue, he began to be a little out of order ;
but soon recovered ; and irom that period until we got
round the Cape, and near the line again, he was as active
and lively as I ever knew him to be. Yet, I believe this
kind of labour was too severe for a raau of his advanced
age in this hot climate, and 1 am sorry to add, not only
from my own thoughts, but also from the judgment of
the above-mentioned medical gentlemen, that it was one
means of hastening his sudden death. Yet while we
view and deplore this conduct, as exemplified in the case
of our venerable leader, it is a standard of emulation, at
which all young ministers ought to aspire ; and even our
passengers confessed that Dr. Coke's conduct was a tacit
reproof to all. The only way in which 1 can account
for his unremitting labours is this : — that as Asia had so
long occupied his serious attention, and to send the gos-
pel to so great a number of immortal souls, who were
in heathenish darkness and superstition, was now the
chief concern of his life ; as more than once since we
came on board, he had told me that if he had not suc-
ceeded in establishing the j)resent mission, he believed
it would have broke hiis heart i but having so clear a dis-

LIFE OF DR. COKE. 525

covery of ihe will of God on the subject, he cast himself
upon his direction, fully persuaded that his way would
be opened ; and havincf so far succeeded, he took it as a
proof of the divine approbation of the undertaking, and
now deteririned to spend and be spent ip so glorious a
cause. And now having made a beginning, by translat-
ing and composing in Portuguese, he experienced great
joy in his soul ; and wtien he had composed a short ser-
mon or ])rayer, he always read them to us with joy and
gratitude ; but that which afforded him the greatest joy
was, when, in our prayer-meetings, we sung his trans-
lation of our hymns into Portuguese; and which (accord-
ing to our judgment) were translated astonishingly well.
Among all these labours, our ever dear lather eajoyed
deep communion with iiia Lord and Saviour ; this we felt
both in our jjublic and private meesings, when he had
the soldiers together who desired to flee from ihe wrath
to come. How lovins:ly and earnestly he would address
them ! and how fervently he would address the Lord
Jesus on their behaU ! These little meetings he consid-
ered as dawnings of the gospel in the East. One trait
in his character wliile on tlie voyage I ought not to
omit : when at any time the weather was stormy, or when
on any occasion there appeared any fears or alarm, be
would encourage the passengers, by observing in what
small ships iie bad frequently taken long voyages ; what
di-stressing scenes he had witnessed, and how far short
this came of wiiat he had witnessed ; then he would
remind them of our fine large ship ; our comfortable
accommodations, &c. &c. and the goodness of God in
preserving us from day to day ; and tiiat be had no doubt
but that the same God would bring us side to the
end of our voyage, and that all things would be for
the best. Thus, while he encouraged their hopes, and
enlivened their apprehensions, he gained their approba-
tion and esteem.

Those of our company who were on board the Lady
Melville, began morning and evening prayers on their
entrance into the ship ; and also class-meetings every
Sabbath. This ttiey always found to be a soul reviving
and strengthening mean of grace. They had from one
to three persons who met with them. Their evenin*
meetings were generally attended by several soldiers :
and for a few Sabbath evenings their cabin was very well

526 APPENDIX TO THE

fillpcl. And on Snndai/, Jan. 30, several of (lie military
and ship's officers sent a note, informinif them, that if
agreeable, tiiey would attend the evening prayers. To this
request tlie brethren cheerfully acceded. Brother Squance,
after readini^ a chapter, gpoke about 20 minutes on Ileb.
ii. 3. After the conclusion of the meeting, they expressed
thankfulness. On the next Sabbath evening-, as the cabin
was too small, the military officers requested them to
ncce})t of their large cabin, as several more gentlemen
and ladies intended to attend the lecture. The captain,
witii most of the passengers, and several of the ship's
officers, attended. The next Sabbath evening, as one
of the military officers was unwell, the brethren were
requested to stand in the steerage. This was just what
they anxiously desired, as all the soldiers and sailors
who had wished to hear, might there have an opportu-
nity. From this time, (Feb. 6,) each brother preached
in iiis turn during the voyage. For these opportunities
the brethren Avere truly thankful to God. They also
commenced the duty of visiting the sick ; and continued
this practice till they left the ship: they found this also
to be profitable to themselves.

JprilS, being Good Friday, and 10, Easter Sun-
day, being separated from all our religious friends, and
from the church of God in Europe, with whom we had
spent somanyChristian Sabbaths,and days of communion,
and who on these occasions were solemnly commemorating
the dying and risen Saviour ; we considered it our duty
and our privilege to partake of the sacred ordinance,
which we blessedly experienced to be owned of God —
From the Doctor's death till our arrival at Bombay, we
hadno opportunity of an interview with each other. Shortly
after we cast anchor on the 21st of May^ brothers Harvard
and Clough visited those of the Melville. It was then
realized that no letters or papers among the Doctor's
papers authorised us to become his executors, or to draw
money for our support. The brethren stated Captain
Birch's friendship ; and that a simple, plain statement
of our case had been given to him, with which he ap-
peared to be well pleased ; and promised to render us
every assistance in his power. Immediately on his land-
ing in Bombay, he represented our case to Thomas
Money, Esq. and to several of the principal gentlemen
of Bombay ; so that when brother llarvarcl, whom vre

LIFE OF DR. COKE. 527

appointed to act in our name, presented to him a letter,
which Dr. Coke had had to that gentleman) he was
•received as a i'riend : and at once proposed to advance
money to us on the respectability of our society. And
also kindly assured our brother, that were it not for the
delicate state of his health, he would feel pleasure to
accompany and introduce him to the governor ; to whom
the Doctor had recommendatory letters from gentlemen
of the highest respectabihty in England. But this
also Captain Birch most generously undertook and per-
formed.

His excellency received Captain Birch and brother
Harvard with the utmost politeness ; and during break-
fast, observed the high opinion of some noblemen in
England of the loyalty and usefulness of the late Rev.
Mr. Wesley, and talked of Dr. Coke and his death : and
in a private way gave orders to his secretary to order a
house in the fort for us. But this being previously occu-
pied, he appointed his country-seat at Parell, five miles
from town, for our residence. But at this time we
received information that the ship Spencer, of 650 tons,
Captain Mitchell, would sail for Ceylon very soon ; we
determined to avail ourselves of so favourable an oppor-
tunity. Of this we informed his excellency in our letter
of thanks which we sent him ; and then removed, May
27, from the inn to Parell. We now expect to sail on the
17 inst. but as several friends and a medical gentleman
highly disapprove of sister Harvard, in her present state,
going to sea, brother and sister Harvard must remain
here for some time. We have already drawn on Mr.
Money for 600 rupees, which we hope will nearly clear
us out of Bombay.

We have felt considerable pain on account of the
vast expences necessary on an unsettled state in such a
place as this. These in detail you may expect in our
next. Captain Birch has also advanced us o£'400 which
the Doctor lent him in England, as his own property.
And though he believes it was designed for the use of
the mission, yet he considers it his duty to have a draft
from us on you for the amount ; which we have given
him at three months after sight, and which we hope you
will thankfully accept. This we purpose to deposit with
Mr. Money, and take a draft on his agent in Ceylon, for
the amount : an4 on this ground, we intend to proceed

528 APPENDIX TO THE

till we receive further instructions from you. We shall
leave a considerable quantity of our articles willi brother
Harvard, in order to dispose of them.

V/e feel both duty and gratitude constrain us to
inform you, tliat under God, the favourable reception
we met with in Bombay, and escaping the troubles which
we dreaded, are principally owing to Captain Birch —
During the whole of the time that our late father and
friend was with him, he evidenced the utmost respect
for him, and still more so, if possible, to his memory
'after his death. He felt as a tender friend for us all ; he
ever partook of our feelings, and always assured us that
we had not &o much to fear as he thought we dreaded.
His report of us to his excellency the governor, to Mr.
Money, and many other gentlemen, before an evil report,
or an unfair statement of our case could circulate, pre-
vented troubles, expences, and afflictions, which other-
wise we must have fallen into. Besides, his proposing
to advance us the cfiOO raised our credit. And we are
decidedly of the opinion, that he justly merits tlie warmest
thanks either of your committee, or the Conference ; as
we are certain that his generous mind is above every
other kind of acknowledgment.

We also consider it our duty to inform you, that
from every information we can obtain of the Isle of
France, it would be a very promising place for a mis-
sionary. There are several thousands of professing
Christians, who have no instructor, and the French lan-
guage is generally spoken in it. As it is a more cool
climate than Ceylon, we have thought that if a missionary
was appointed for it, brother Squance, who has a little
knowledge of the language, and whose health is delicate,
miglit be appointed for it. But we only suggest the
business to you. From what we can learn of Ceylon, if
Missionaries were acquainted with the Tamul and Cinga-
lese tongues, (^^hich we are told are not difficult to learn)
they might expect to be very useful. And we trust that
in humility before God, we may say that we were never
more firmly determined to labour for God than we are
at present. And also, that we are deeply sensible of our
awful responsibility to God, and our venerable fathers,
and the cause of Hod at large.

And now. Rev. and Dear Fathers, being fully sensi-
ble that you >Yill not cease to pray for us ; and also to

LIFE OF DE COKE. 529

recommend us to the public and private prayers of the
churches of God : and requesting any information or
direction which you may think proper to give us : and
trusting that we shall never forget that we are still Me-
thodist preachers, and ministers of the Lord Jesus
Christ — we subscribe ourselves,

Your Sons and Servants in the Gospel of Christ,

JAMES LYNCH,
WILLIAM AULT,
GEORGE ERSKINE,

WM. M. HARVARD,
THOMAS SQUANCE,
BENJAMIN CLOUGH.

P. S. In consequence of a variety of incidents and
hindrances, we have only finished the above about 15
minutes before the packet closes ; so that our fathers will
make allowances for any unimportant mistakes that may
be found, as tliere is no time to revise or correct.

Direct to us at Columbo. From private letters you
may receive information on some things which could not
be specified here.

LETTERS FROM CEYLON.

EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM MR. LYNCH,
MISSIONARY IN CEYLON, TO MR. CORDEUX.
Jafnapatanij Nov. 24, 1814.

My very dear Brother,

From our letter to the Missionary Committee, you
and our dear friends in London have obtained a general
knowledge of our landing and reception at Bombay, ^ind
also of our arrival and reception in Ceylon, and the
providential door which God has opened for us. I doubt
not that you, with our London friends, sensibly felt for
the great loss which we sustained in the death of our
father and friend Dr. Coke ; and not only on account of
our loss, but that of the church in general. How un-
searchable are the divine dispensations ! How singular
the death of Dr. Coke ! not in the bosom of his brethren
and chddren in the gospel, delivering his dying testimony
to them, as was the case with Mr. Wesley, and many
others of our fathers and brethren in the gospel : but on
17. 3 X

530 APPENDIX TO THE

the great deep, with a little company of inexperienced
youths, whom lie was carryinj^to plant the gospel among
the heathen, with his heart exulting in the glorious pros-
pect of the success of their humble labours, was he sud-
denly and unexpectedly snatched away, without even
one of them to witness his last moment ! Had he been
so snatched away live months sooner, my dear brethren
and myself would still have been in our native country ;
and, perhaps, for many years to come, Methodist mis-
sionaries would not ha\e visited Asia ! What we know
not now, we shall know hereafter ; but we know at pre-
sent, that God does all things well.

Some good, I believe, has resulted from our orphan
state ; for persons of great respectability in civil life,
have felt very tenderly for us, as having sustained so
great a loss ; and, believing that our simple design was
to instruct the poor heathen in the principles of Chris-
tianity, they have favoured us with uncommon kindness
and encouragement. Deprived of our honoured friend
and father in the gospel, to whom we all looked up with
respect and affection, we, perhaps, were led to cast our
care more on our heavenly Father, than otherwise we
would have done. If ever men felt disposed to submit
themselves to God and each other, I believe we did on
the trying occasion. It is true, we are now separated
several hundreds of miles from each other ; but we can
have a letter from the most distant in seven days ; which
to us is an unspeakable comfort. Brother Erskine is
three hundred miles from me, and thirty from brother
Clough, and about one hundred and fifty from brother
Ault, who is nearly two hundred miles from me. On
account of brother Squance's delicate state of health,
he has lately removed to Columbo, as it is the most
healthy place in the island, or perhaps in India. Bro-
ther Squance has made great progress in the language
At present, we are engaged in teaching the English
language to children of the natives, and grown people ;
which is rather a furtherance to our learning their lan-
guage. I am persuaded that we are useful to several
English and Dutch families, who had no religious instruc-
tion ; and I hope that, after we shall be able to preach to
the natives, there will be no great difficulty in forming
classes of them. Several of the European Christians
will be ready to afford us very consideruble assistance.

LIFE OF DR. COKE. 531

The Roman Catholic Christians here are scarcely a
remove from the heathen ; and many of the Protestants
have little or no idea of the Lord Jesus. Both Christians
and heathens are marking our conduct ; this must preach
in India.

At present I have more than 50 scholars, and I find
great pleasure with them : for minds capable of receiving
instruction, 1 find them equal to any 1 have met wiih in
Ireland.

Though God has wonderfully opened our way, our
great work, as well as our grand object, is to keep the life
of God in our own souls, and to lead others to enjoy the
same blessing. We feel our insufficiency for the great
work in which we are engaged ; but we have a degree of
faith in God, who, we know, wrought by us in our own
country, that he will work by us here also.

I can give but very little account of the island, or
manners of its inhabitants. The climate, thougli warm,
is not intolerable. For two hours in the morning, and
two in the evening, it is most delightful. The inhabi-
tants are exceedingly indolent. The cocoa-nut-tree is a
nursery for idleness, as a small garden of them supplies
a family with every thing they want. From them they
get meat, drink, oil, &c. and even timber to cover
their houses. I am, your's, &c.

J. LYNCH.

P. S. Both myself and brethren are at a great loss
for school books. We want a great many primers and
spelling-books, and also grammars. And if by any means
the British and Foreign Bible Society could send us about
200 New Testaments, and 50 or 60 Bibles, we could dis-
tribute them as much to the glory of God as they could be
distributed in any part of Europe. Please to inform
sister S. B. that I have already distributed the Hymn
Books she gave me, and that to some of the most digni-
fied, sensible, and pious people in Ceylon ; I believe much
good will result therefrom. Indeed the good sense, ele-
gant poetry, and pure English of the hymns, have raised
their authors, the Messrs. Wesleys, greatly in the esteem
of those that have read them.

532 APPENDIX TO THE

FROM MR. LYNCH, TO HIS FRIEND IN DUBLIN.

My dear Sir, Ceylon, Nov. 24, 1814.

I send you enclosed a letter from my brother Hu^h,
at Gartmassou, as I doubt not but you and our dear
friends in Dublin will rejoice to hear of our prosperity.
If you judge that any thing in the inclosure is worthy of
publication, you may extract it, and forward the letter
immediately to my brother; I believe God is opening an
effectual door for the gospel in India. Brother Harvard,
whom we left at Bombay, has formed a class of truly
awakened members, and is leaving them under the care
of a truly awakened leader, who was brought to the
knov^ledge of the truth in England; and though more
than live years in Bombay, has always retained his peace.
I lately had a letter from an unknown friend at Madras,
who had been a member of our society in England, and
has been five years in India. He iniorms me that he has
formed a class, and most earnestly entreats one of us to
visit them. " My heart and my house," says he, " are
oj)en to you, and the society will receive you with open
arms." Lieutenant Hunter, the Port-Adjutant of this
place, (Jaffna) has just received a letter from a son he
has in Madras, from which I infer be is one of the class,

and truly alive to God. The Ilev. Mr. T , of

Madras, has written to the Rev. Mr. T , his

friend at Columbo, requesting that if any more mission-
aries from our society, be sent to Ceylon, one may be
sent (o Madras. In Ceylon there is work, yea, there is
the utmost necessity for three times the number of mis-
sionaries that are in it, and I do trust that God will send
them. Surely such of my young brethren, in Ireland,
as have faith and fortitude to come over and help us, will
even in time receive double at the hand of the Lord.
I am still decidedly of opinion, that brother G. Ousley
should have been with us ; bis experience and zeal would
have been a great advantage, now that God has been
phased to take from us our venerable father and friend
l)r Coke. 1 also wish that my dear friends, Mr. and
Mrs. F. were with us. Pious sisters in this country
would be of far greater use among the native women than
their husbands, as the latter can have little or no access
to them. The late Mrs. P. was of more essential use to
the souls of both natives and European women than all

LIFE OF DE. COKE. 533

the missionaries on the island besides, altliou'^b there
were several of them. I have met with several women
who were brought to God by her.

FROM MR. LYNCH TO HIS BROTHER.

My dear Brother,

In my last of September 15, T gave you such inform-
ation at that lime as I thought necessary. Since then
very little of importance has taken place. We have
opened a school, and have about 40 scholars; several of
them are heathens, but evidence a desire and a capacity
for instruction, and do not appear to be behind any chil-
dren in Ireland in aptness to learn. Very few, even of
grown men, wear any clothing higher than their loins;
so that the most of our pupils are naked from the waist
up, and several of them are young men : but we hope in
some time to prevail on them to cover all their bodies :
for nothing must be attempted on a sudden with the
natives. Two of the Braminical priests have called to
converse with us. We could converse very imperlectly
with them, as we had but a very bad interpreter. They
do not appear to be alarmed at our coming among them ;
but told us, that all the country knew that good men
Avere come to live amongst, and to instruct them. The
converted Moor-man (vvhora I mentioned in my last
letter) has from five to forty Mahomedans with him
every day, to whom he reads such parfs of the Koran as
mention Jesus Christ, and shews the same to them in
the Malabar Testament ; and what is most astonishing,
he lives in peace and saiety in the midst ot them, and
they hear him patiently, and Avith apparent satisfaction.
We now live in his house, which is one of the finest in
Jaffna; and he and his brother in law, who has also
embraced Christianity, live in a comfortable little house
in the garden ; so that we have every opportunity of
being useful to them. It is generally believed that God
is about to do a great work among the Mahomedans ; and
we humbly trust that our coming among them at this
favourable lime is o! God ; and we have reason to believe
that they have already received a favourable oj)inion of
us. We have met with a few truly pious people; one,
a lady, who about eight years ago was truly happy in

534 APPENDIX TO THE

God, but retained her peace only a few months. She
ivas ji^reatly astonished to learn, that thousands in Great
Britain have for many years enjoyed the same blessing",,
(some I knew for forty years) which she then did. She,
with many others, who had never heard of the doctrine
of holiness, thought it vpry strange at first ; but after a
few conversations on the subject, they cordially received
it, and now bless God for the comfortable hope of being
cleansed from all unrighteousness, as well as to have the
forgiveness of sins. Notwithstanding all this, we have
not attempted a regular class. Sir Alexander Johnson,
the Chief Justice of the island, has advised us to com-
mence preaching by an interpreter : I intend, please God,
to do so as soon as I can procure one. In my last I gave
you a promise of a few extracts from letters which I
received on the subject of our mission, I now attempt a
fulfilment of that promise.

So far Mr. Lynch ; who transcribes a series of let-
ters which passed between himself and several pious cha-
racters, all interesting and highly honourable to these
friends. An extract from three or four of them we here
subjoin.

Mr. Lynch, before he and Mr. Squance left Co-
lumbo, having addressed a letter to a friend in Madras,
requesting him to forward some letters to Europe,
received some time after the following letter ; —

Dear Sir, Madras, August 19, 1814. "

I am sorry to see how long I have been acknowledg-
ing the receipt of a packet from you, including a letter
from the Methodist Missionary Committee, and one to
Miss Squance. I gladly undertake to forward them to
England, and would have informed you sooner of it, but
from the weak state of my health, I cannot, by any
means, do one half of the things I would ; and am
obliged to draw largely on the divine and human patience
and forbearance with me. I have seen with much plea-
sure in the newspaper, a report of the arrival of yourself
and your brethren at Bombay, and trust that you are
all come devoted to the work of the Lord among the
poor heathen, in simplicity and godly sincerity. I was
well assured of the very liberal reception you would
receive from the Honourable and Rev. Mr. T ■- ,

LIFE OF DR. COKE. 53B

tny much esteemed friend : in him I know you will find
a generous patron, he will never be unmindful of you,
so long as you persevere with diligence and zeal in the
work you have undertaken. You have already felt his
kindness, and I trust will have pleasure in studying to
give him satisfaction. I doubt not but he has particu-
larly impressed on you the obvious and exti'eme import-
ance of an immediate and persevering study of the native
languages. Set yourselves to this work with all your
hearts. I well know how much Mr. T is inter-
ested about this ; I have witnessed his great uneasiness,
that some other missionaries, who were in Ceylon before
you, minded it so little, and were so soon discouraged.
He will rejoice to see another mind in you ; and this joy
I trust you will give him, assured that it is joy for the
poor heathen. O that they may know the Lord ! and that
he may be glorified among them ! Remember continu-
ally who it is that calls out, " Lions, Idons in the way;"
and who it is that challenges, " Who art thou, great
, mountain ?" I have heard with great concern of the
death of the venerable Dr. Coke: your letter gave me
the first information ot it. However, though dead, I
hope he will be found still speaking, and particularly
that his zeal, admirable as it appears, in the love and
service of (he Lord, and the souls that are perishing, will
provoke many. And now commending you, dear Sir,
and all your brethren, to the grace of God, for the good
work you have chosen, and myself to all your prayers,
I remain, your's, sincerely, &c.

On Sept. 1 4, the Rev. Mr. B. zvrote to the two bre-
thren as follows: —

Dear Sirs,

I received your very welcome letter yesterday, and
will not lose another post before I thank you for it. It
gives me great pleasure to hear that you are arrived safe
and in good health, and also that you have had such
attention shewed you on your way, and upon your arrival
at Jatfna. I am also greatly pleased to see in your letter
a strain of content, and a disposition to take things as
they are, without giving v/ay to uneasiness, and repining
at what cannot be mended. I shewed your letter to the

636 APPENDIX TO THE

jifovcrnor, ^vlio felt nearly in the same manner on the
subject as myseU" ; Ave both au^ur well of your success.
\ our account of Mr. M.'s reception of you is very grati-
fyinGT, «^"fl I have no doubt but he will continue your
friend. By a letter from you to Mr. T. which he has just
sent me, I find Mr. Squance's health is improved,
which gives me much satisfaction. My own seems to be
qniie re-established. You will, no doubt, find in Chris-
tian David a ins.st venerable friend and assistant. Pray
remember me kindly to him, and assure him of my
regard. I am also much interested about Daniel 'f heo-
philus, (a convert from Mahometanism.) J hope he will
communicate freely his wishes upon any subject, when
he is in want of favour or assistance. I expect every
day an arrival of Tamul New Testaments ; pray let me
knoAV your wants in that language, or in any other matter
where I can be of use. Be assured that ray will and
constant desire is to do every thing in my poAver either to
forAvard the benevolent and pious designs of your mission,
or to contribute to your convenience and ease. The
Governor and Mrs. BroAvnrigg thank you for your
remembrance of them, and desire theirs to be sent you
in return. Remember me to Mr. M. and the other gen-
tlemen of Jaffna, and believe me

Yours, faithfully, G. B.

EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM MR. CHATER,
BAPTIST MISSIONARY, TO MESSRS. LYNCH
AND SQUANCE.

My dear Brethren, Columbo, Oct. 11, 1814.

I fear you Avill begin to think of us according to the
well knoAvn proverb, " Out of sight, out of mind :" but
this, I can assure you, is not the case ; few days have
passed Avithout thinking and speaking of you. I have
now a piece of pleasing information for you. On the 29th
of last month my dear partner in life obtained mercy in
a trying hour ; both she and the little boy (our fifth son)
are doing Avell. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget
not all his benefits! We have a few pious military
friends added to us ; one of them, Serjeant-Major
Campbell, appears to be an eminent Christian : he pos-
jjesscs, with the gift, the spirit of prayer : I hope he

LIFE OF DR^ COKE. 537

tvill be a great help and comfort to us. His wife also is
a devout Christian. No doubt you have heard that Mr.
Armour preaches in our place once a week in Portui^uese,
and has congregations of, I think, nearly 800 hearers :
this is pleasing. I am almost ready to begin in Portu-
guese and Cingalese ; I shall have then, I hope, a wider
field for exertion than at present : and O that God may
crown all our labours with divine success ! I long to be
able, and to obtain liberty, to try the same means in
Columbo, that were so successful and useful under the
instrumentality of the blessed reformers, Wesley and
Whitfield; I mean, field, or rather street-preaching. —
As I pass through the streets on a Sabbath morning, I
see such numbers passing and repassing, that by any
other means will never hear the word of life. I see them,
and my eye affects my heart ; and I feel the secret wish,
I breathe the silent prayer, O that I could stand here,
and cast the gospel-net ! O that I could stand here, and
preach the unsearchable riches of Christ to these lost
sinners ! Since I began to write, your present and
affectionate letter have arrived. We receive them not
only as a token of your friendship, but of sincere chris-
tian love. We have heard and read with pleasure con-
cerning our dear brother Squance, that his health seems
to be improving. May the best of blessings descend on
you both in rich abundance ! I am, very dear brethren.
Yours in our blessed Lord,

J. CHATER.

BXTRACT FROM A LETTER FROM MR. CLOUGH, TO THE REV. JOHN BAR-
BER, AND THE MISSIONARY COMMITTEE.

Point de Galle, Island of Ceylon, Jan 8, 1815.

Rev. and dear Sir,

I do not know that J can give you any thing more acceptable
than an account of my labours, and how the word of the Lord is
going forward in this part of the world where Providence has cast noy
jot. There is, in this place, a very extensive field of labour, parU-
cularly among the country-born people, Dutch and Portuguese, and
half-cast people, exclusive of the native Cingalese.

There are some young men, from whom I expect great
things. They speak English, Portuguese, and Cingalese, with
great fluency and ease, and I hope they will soon begin to u?e their
talents by instructing the natives. One of them, who was brougfit
up as an assistant surgeon to the hospital in this place, has lately, m
a verv evident manner, received the pardon of sin, and has begun in

5S8 APPENDIX TO THE

a very siiigfular way to labour in behalf of relio-io;i On tile SiinJiiy
af'ieinoon, (vvliich is the leisure time with the |)ei)|>Ie) he takes his
Bible in his hand, and wherever he meets with an assembly of people,
lie bog's leave to ro-ail a portion of it to theiri : he then traiislates it
into low Portng'nese, aii<l in the best manner he is able, explains it to
thein. This is of (^reat use, as it inspires them wilh a ilispositioii
to hear the gospel. I am entreated, on every Iraml, to learn low
P(»rtuafuese, in order to [ireach to them. This I hope soon to accom-
plish, though it will be attended with considerable diificult}-, as my
labour at present in this place is great, and 1 have no brother to assist
me. Beside the time Spent iit learning the Cingalese langnage, 1
have to preach three times in the week to the same people, and lead
a class. Add to this, 1 have the school lo attend to, which engrosses
much of my time. I believe this will ultimately be attended with
good, as it affords an op|iortunIty of instilling into the minds of the
children the principles of the Christian religion ; and I have even
now the pleasbig satisfaction to see some of the young men seriously
disposed, and enquiring how they may please God, and go to heaven.
These will, I trust, instead of being carried away by the idolatry and
superstition of their country, become powerful advocates for the
religion of Jesus.

During my short residence in this place, I have been doing what
good I could through the medium of interpreters among the Cinga-
lese. I first endeavoured to get acquainted with their priests, and
Providence cast me in the way of one of the most celebrated in the
island, known both in the Candian and British dominions. He
resided for some time with the King of Candia, and is every where
extolled for his extensive knowledge both of the religion aiwl literature
of the island, as well as of the Oriental lanaruages. After about two
tnonths acquaintance with him, he, from the deepest convictiim of
mind, expressed a strong desire to throw aside his priestly garments
and situation, and embrace Christianity. But he was aware that by
this step he would not only lose every thrng he had, ami all means
of support among the Cingalese people, but al«o be in danger of
losing his life. As I knew his excellency, the governor, favoured
religioii, and was a decided friend to the propagation of the gospel
among the natives, 1 made bold to represent the case to him, and
received an immediate answer which gave us an entire satisfaction ;
viz. that he would not only defend him from all assaults, but, in case
he forsook his priestly emoluments, he wouhl allow him something to
subsist on. Wetlien made arrangements for his baptism, which was
to be performed in the church at Columbo. At this time, t received
a letter from Columbo, stating, that brother Squance had left Jaffna
on account of his health, being seized with a tever, which they ex-
pected would carry him off speedily. He having no brother there, I
was requested to go to him without delay. When I left the priest
i ordered him to remain quiet until he received further directions
from me. i had not been absent a week before the matter was
bla/ed abroad through the district, and came to the knowledge of the
hiirb priest, who was so alarmed by the intelligence, that he assem-
bled f .urtcen of the head priests, and sent thetu to prevail upon him,
if possible, by some means or other, to abandon the idea of embrac-
itijr Christianity ; .stating, that if a priest of his rank aivd respecta-

LIFE OF DR. COKE. 539

Iriility in tW relis^ion of Bnodlio. forsook tliern, it would not only dis-
grace ills Gun character, but injure tlie cause in g^eneral. However
he continued immoveable-, and the matter sfiread so rapidly, that
before t!»e fourteen left him, they weie increased to fifty -seven,
«sing- every possible method to prevail upon him to continue as he
was. Bi sides the priests, there were his family connections, some
vreeping", some scolilino-, and others ibreatening- to put an end to
their existence. IMany head men of the district came to him with
larfje presents, obserxinij, •' If you forsake the priesthood, it will
ruin our religion in this country." However, he broke throujjh
ihem all, and made his escape at the hazard of his life. He got
from his temple in the country, to the house of an European in the
fort of Galle, where he met a letter from me, desiring him to go to
Colombo without delay. On this occasion, the Right Honourable
Lord Viscount Moles worth, (Jommaudant ff the Fort, behaved not
only like gi iriend, but like a Christian, who had the work of God at
heart. He took him into his own house, and when he came otl* to
Colijmbo, gave him money sufficient to bear his own expences, and
lliose of the men who went wjth him as guards. It would be un-
grateful and unjust were I not to mention his Lordship's unremitting
kindness and attention to me while I have been labouring in this
place. Not content with a general countenance, he comlescended to
offer (o assist and co-operate with me as far as lay in his power in
any thinsj when I thought it necessar3^ Hence in all my intentions
of public jilans, &c. I have had his superior wisdom to consult, I
have always found hiin willing, and pleased to do any thing for the
furtherance of the work of God, and particularly as relating to the
natives. Both oflicers and men have a briariit example in the charaa.
ter of his Lordship. He never absents himself" from cluirch except
in a case of absidute necessity, and has even attemied my lecture in a
private house in the Fort on week day evenings. I may say, he has
been to me a Father, a Christian, a Friend, and a Guide.

But to return to the ]»riest. After he arrived in Columbo, he had
some severe conflicts both from within »nd without. He received
several letters of a very severe kind. I was almost ready to wonder
how he maintained his resolution. In this case we might say of a
truth, Not unto us, O Lord, hut unto thy name bethe pruise ! A day
or two before his baptism I called upon him, and found him uncom-
monly cheerful and happy. " I dreamt," said he, " last nio-ht, that
my rol^es were covered with all kinds of filthy reptiles. I was so
disgusted at the sight, that I thought 1 went to a river ami cast thein
in, never to touch them again. When I awoke this morning J found
myself naked, and all my robes folded up and thrown on the far
side of the room. Now, thought I, God has sent this dream lo
shew me the bad state I am in, and to confirm me in all my former
resolutions, and I am only sorry that I am forced to put them on
again." He hardly ever let us rest after this, until something could
be provided to dress him in. After his baptism, his excellency the
governor sent him two suits of new clothes. He is to have a salary
from government as a translator ; and is now going to translate the
Bible into the two languages of this island, the Cingal-^se and
Paariah or Masrgada, which is spoken in the interior. He is to study
the scriptures under the care of the Rev. Mr. Armour, who no\v

540 APPENDIX TO THE

resides in Colombo, until he is qualified to preach, I flatter myself,
that, humanly speaking", this man will be capable of doing' as much
good among the natives as fifty European missionaries. Many of
the priests are so shaken by this conduct of their leader, that they
also are wishful to embrace Christianity ; but there is this dilHculty
in the way, when they cast oft" their robes, they lose all, even their
freehold estates, if they have any, as our priest had to a considerable
amount. But we hope soon to see the people coming over likewise,
and then a way will be opened. This morning', after I concluded
service in the church, I baptized eight persons, native Cingalese,
six of whom were adults. Their confession, which they made at
the fount, was as follows : " That they had I'orsaken all kinds of
idolatry ; believed in no God, but thf great God who made all things ;
that Jesus Christ was the Son of God, was present in the churrh,
and knew they were goin^ to be baptized and called Christians ; that
they wanted to love Jesus more; would always pray to him
to make them good people, that when they died they might go to
heaven." — After this ceremony, I married Philip and Diana, who
seemed a most afl'ectionate couple. Should the English keep the
island, I hope many more missionaries will be sent out. I think the
rest of my brethren will fully agree with me in this, that there is
here a fine field for action : a missionary may labour in this island
without any kind of restraint from the civil ]iower ; on the contrary,
he is assisted by it ; the rulers being decided friends to the spread of
the gospel ; conseriuentlj^, he has only to labour with all the powers
of body and soul. On my arrival at Columbo I found brother
Squance in a high fever, attended with dehrium ; he continued so
for near a fortnight, and then began to recover. When his strength
had increased, the Doctor and the brethren advised me to take him
to Galle. I did so, and on the 31st of December, 1814, we arrived
here. Since then his strength has increased, and he is now com-
pletely rid of every symptom of fever. But I am sorry to say the
medical gentlemen are of opinion that his consumptive complaint
will carry him off. The people are extremely kind, and pay liini
tvery attention. Should he leave us, our loss will be his g'ain. —
During my stay in Columbo, the governor requested me to draw up
an account of the priest from our first acquaintance. I did so, and
he caused it to be published in the news-paper. The introduction
was written by the governor himself. With respect to the lanouage
of this country, 1 can read it tolerably well, speak it a little, and am
beginning to catechise the children in it, &c.

ANOTHER ACCOUNT OF THE BUDHIST PRIEST BY MR. CLOUGH,

The manner in which I became acquainted with the Budbist
priest, was, by attending the idolatrous worship and cereinonies. —
Ou thrse occasions I was always attended by an interpreter, by whose
means 1 was enabled lo make many enquiries ; and I now particu-
larly addressed this priest, perceiving that he possessed acuteness of
intellect, and was acknowleiiged to be the best versed in the o-round
work of the religion of Budhu, and in the sciences of the coiintry.
I begau to take great pleasure in couversing with himj and the

I.IFE OF DK. COKE. 541

pleasure appearing' to be reciprocal, our interviews became frequent
and of protracted length ; in one of which he requested (hopinor it
would not offend) that he might be allowed to put a few questions to
me, relating to the christian religion, to which, when 1 readily
assented, he began by observing, that man must be acknowledged
to possess two spirits or principles of action, the one actuating him
to do good, and the other to do bad. He then commenced his questions
by asking whether, if the God of the Christians be perfectly holy,
that God can be the author of evil ; and if not, where did man get
the spirit to do evil ? I answered, that he got it from his forefathers,
who could trace it up to our progenitors, Adam and Eve — He then
enquired from whence did our first parents receive this evil ? My
answer was, the awful consequence of disobedience to their Creator;
Whence then, said he, that disposition to disobey God? — Temptation,
I rephed, and the Devil was the tempter. What, said he, is the
Devil? An evil spirit, I replied. — Who, said he, made the Devil,
and how did he become evil ? God, said I, created him a pui-e
Angel, but on his refusing to give due honour to Jehovah, God
appointed him to a place of inconceivable honor, and destined him
and his wicked associates to it for ever. The English are printing
Bibles ^in almost every language, which sufficiently treat on this
subject, and missionaries are sent with them to explain them ; and
in the course of God's providence, I and my five companions have
come to the Island of Ceylon, and that it was not for the past dark -
ness of the Cingalese that God would punish them, but for reject-
ing the offer of those exalted blessings tendered to them by us. I
added, I have now to offer to you the blessings of the gospel of
Jesus Christ, and if you reject this offer, you will assuredly be con-
demned at the last day. Here he began to be greatly agitated,
and gathering up his loose garment with a countenance expressive
of great concern, he mildly replied, " 1 hardly know what to do, I
have been brought up in the religion 1 now profess, and am settled
in it, 1 know not how to think about changing- it, and it is a thing
which 1 cannot at present determine to do. He then took his leave
of me, and I began to suspect that I had offended him. He, how-
ever, delayed not long to make me another visit, and we resumed
the usual subject.

Perceiving- that he continued to be very inquisitive about Chris-
tianity, I furnished him with a copy of the four gospels in Cinga-
lese, with which he was much pleased, saying, that it was what he
had long wished to see, and said, be assured 1 will read it with great
attention ; but, may 1 request an additional favour of J^ou, which is
to allow me to trouble you to explain any parts v iiich I may not
understand? To this I readily assented, and I presented to him the
gospels at his own heathen temple, when some of his pupils prepar-
ing for the Budhist priesthood were present, who were not a little
surprised at the joy he expressed, and tlie care manifested in wrap-
ping it up, as being more valuable than gold.

Alter this, he soon put me to the pleasing task of explaining, to
the best of my ability, those things which were ruther mj'steiious
to him. After he had read the gospels several times, he began to
lament that he had not the Old Testament, supposing it Mould give
him a clear explanation of the New.

542 APPENDIX TO THE

1 must now pass over a number of interesting evenin;^ conversa-
tions, and hasten to the interview when he made a puldic conliession
oi' the statu of his mind and present views, which was nearly as
foll«)\vs : —

I feel I wisli to crive you a relation of my present condition, and
I believe from Avi);it 1 know of you, that you will not make a %\rong^
iise of vvhat I say. — Since I became acqiiamted with you, your con-
Tcrsation and a our answers to my different questions, have made a
deep impression on my mind ; and during the past three Aveeks, I
ha\ f been in a state of great distress of mind. I ha> e frequently
returned iiome after iny interviews witji you unable to sleep for
many ni'ihts.

I asked him the cause of this trouble ? he replied, that it arose
fnmi an apprehension, that he anti his countrymen who followed the
religion of Bndhu, liad been mistaken in their religious principles,
»\ hicli vv :is to him a consideration of the greatest importance, He
added, that the more he tliought on the subject, the more the appre-
lun«ion increased, inasmuch as the evidences in favour of the Chris-
tian Ueligion were making stronger impressions upon him. I then
askeil him, wlietlier he thought the God of the Christian was he, who
ought to be worshipped in preference to idols? He replied, that he
had been considtiing the subject candidly, as though he were a
member of neitiier communion, and had offered up prayers for direc-
tion in a matter so important, and tliat if he and his countrymen
were in error, he prayed that he miglit recei\e convictiop in the
clearest manner, and that a way miglit be opened by which he might
leave his pvesiint profession, and embrace Christianity, not only for
his own good, but for others to whom he would preacli it. He added,
that the nunc he pra\ed, the more did his desire to (juit the religion
of IJiidhu increase. He then asked me to assist him in managing
this matter, for which his gratitude would be extreme, and that he
should think tiiut the great God had sent me from England to Cey-
ion, on purpose to instruct him, and shew him tlic right vyay of
worshijioing God ; and in return should think it incumbent on him,
' to his liitest hour, to niake knov/n to his countrymen the blessings of
the i^ospe!, whicii had been thus offered to him through my means.

I'eri-eiving that he was prepared to manifest his conversion,
I asketl him what he conceived the most sjieedy andeffectual
mode of doing iti' He replied, " By laying aside my priestly
••arments, and joining myself to the society of Christians," —
adding, I am in my present situation as comfortnble as 1 can wish
with retr;n<l to th(^ things of this world ; but as soon as [ throw off
the »-iirment, I shall be deprived of all means of support, and this
o-ivcs me some uneasiness, and if T embrace Christianity I shall be
hrought into distress, because you know, for yome time I sliall be
«f no use lo any religi<*n, (meaning he would not be aide to preach)
vet, if I h:iil only a sutHcietit knosvledge of the Christian religion
to enable me lo preach it, I believe the great and good God would
n(tt snU'er mo tor one moment to want ; and one of the greatest acts
of merc\ \ ou e:ui do, will be to assist me a little in this jtarticular.

At this peritid <ommenced the correspondence between me and
ihe Uev. Mr. IJisset, the result of which settled all his fears and
tended to confirm him in his intentions. Many were our subsequenT

LIFE OF bn. COKE. 543

interviews, in which he never failed to express the hamtiness he
enjoyed in his ple;isin'_f prospects. — About tliis time, tkere was a
meeting' convened of several lindlust priests on a particular occa-
sion, near Galle, and the meetini^ was to continue for some days. —
1 was apprehensive he mis^lit be shaken, or not be sufficiently pve-
l>ared to stand the attacks of such a nuu\ber of his former accjuaint-
ance. I however [jaid him a visit at this meeting", when they were *^
not a little surptis^, to see me advance; but they were the more
surprised, when they perceived my convert advance and join nie,
we then retired, and I betjan a very close conversation about the
.'State of his mind, and found him unshaken. I asked him ivhcther
he did not feel reluctance at leaving" his relig-ion ? He answered, that
this reluctance was easily overcome, because he was about to receive
a better. He added, that he felt no difficulty in casting- his lot
with mine, and he should be very glad to have the same |)iace with
me ill the next worUl, and that he shouhl have little trouble in his
mind, if he thougiit he should be in the same situation witii me at the
day of jiMlgment.

At this time a sing'ular circuimtance occurred, which added import-
ance to all his past conduct. The afore-mentioued asseudj'y of priests
availed themselves of opportunities of receiving- personal and publie
improvement, both by day and night, through the means of my
i'aithful convert ; and, he being- the senior priest, was looked up to
for instruction. One evening-, when they were assembled, and were
expecting- him to preach on the religion of Budhu, he jjuUed out
the Cingalese Ne-.v Testament, and beg-an to read the 1st chapter
of St. ]\iatthew, and proceeded to read other chapters, making;- his
ol«sepvations till morning-, by which time he had nearly' iinished the
whole gfospel. He was heard with surprise and attention, and they
frecpiently interrupted him, while he proceeded, with fpiestioa"*,
which he answered to the best of his alvility.

He came to me afterwards, and related this circumstance, and
after a long- conversation, expressed himself in the following- manner,
" I am like -an hungry man tied to a tree, with a table covered with
rich provisions near, but out of reach; and this will be my *;tate
till the day of my liberty comes," We then talked about his behif/-
baptized, and he expressed a wish to comply with that ordioaiiee as
early as possible, whidi he considers to be the g-rand characttristie
mark of those who are not worshippers of idols.

Dr. Buchanan, in his " Christian Researches in Asia," says,
*' In the Island of Ceylon the population under the British g-overn-
ment ainonnts, according to the best authorities, to upwards
of a million and a half; and one-thirtl is supposed to profess
Christianity." When at Jaffnapatam, in Ceylon, September 27,
18t»G, he remarked in his journal, " It will be scarcely believed in
England, that there are here protestant churches under the king-'s
government, which are whhout ministers. At this time there is not one
Protestant European minister in the whole province. I ouo-ht to ex-
cept 31 r. Palm, a solitary missionary, v\ho has been sent out by tlie
London iMissionary Society, and receives some smrill stipend' irom
the British governmeut. The only Protestant preacher iu the town

544 APPENDIX, kc.

of JafFaa^is Christian David, a Hindoo catechist, sent over by tJic
mission of^Tranquebar. The Dutch ministers, who fonnerly offi-
ciated here, have g-one to Batavia or to Europe. The t\hole district
is now in the hands of the Romish priests from Goa ; who perceiving
the indifference of the Enghsh nation to their own rehgion, have
assumed quiet and undisturbed possession of the laud." — And when
he was at Columbo, in 3Iarch, 1808, he obseiTcd, " I find the
south part of the island is much in the same stafe as in the north,
in regard to christian instruction. There are but two English cler-
gymen in the whole island. — I was not surprised to hear that great
numbers of the Protestants every year go back to idolatry. Being
destitute of a head to take cognizance of their state, they apostatize
to Boodha (or Budhu,) as the Israelites turned to Baal and Ashta-
roth. It is perhaps true, that the religion of Christ has nevei- been
so disgraced in any age of the church, as it has been lately, by our
official neglect of the Protestant church in Ceylon. There are now
three missionaries of the London Society established in the three dif-
ferent parts of the island. Government has allowed to each of them
an annual stipend. In returning from the country, I passed through
the groves of cinnamon, which extend nearly a mile in length. Tne
whole of the New Testament has been translated, but only three
books of the Old Testament. But even this portion has been trans-
lated almost in vain ; for there is no supply of books for the use of
the people. I reflected with astonishment on the fact, that there
are, by computation, five hundred thousand natives in Ceylon, pro-
fessing Christianity, and that there should not be one complete copy
of the holy scriptures in the vernacular tongue."

Such is the country, and such the state of religion in it, for
the religious instruction of which Dr. Coke engaged six mission-
aries, and was conducting them thither, when he was " With sud-
den death, with sudden glory, bless'd."

The reader is desired to excuse the following errors, which wii3 occasioned
chiefly by the author's great distance from the press, and his not buying an oppor-
tunity of correcting the proof sheets :

Page 25, Line 1 8, for Persecutions read Persecutors.

42,

25,

Instances read Objections.

55,

21,

Possible read Impossible.

56,

13,

the read this.

59,

18,

here read have.

•72.

3,

Baptists read Papists.

73,

38,

Import read Important.

132,

28,

American read Arminian Magazine,

322,

25,

Gird them, read Gird thee.

350,

21,

Rawson read Pawson.

363,

14,

Expunge to.

366,

28,

for Prompting read Promoting.

455,

15,

1729 read 1799.

436,

2.

two miles read nine..

OECJ

DATE DUE

CAYLORD

^•;

/

^•

•*:/* t^.;

-^"iJ^

V4A

."iA

■^jS¥-

'WIK^